| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08144682B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing signal-to-noise ratio of position location measurements
A method and apparatus for generating and use of a position location reference signal that allows a receiver to receive position location signals from relatively weak signal generators when in the presence of a strong signal source. The position location reference signals from multiple sources can be synchronized to occur within a scheduled time slot of a time division multiplexed communication system. During the scheduled time slot, each signal source can configure a transmission that includes a media access control address that corresponds to a value reserved for position location signals. Each signal source also configures the transmission to include a position location reference signal that corresponds to the signal source. The position location signals from each of the signal sources is positioned to occur at a time within the data portion of the scheduled time slot that no neighboring signal source transmits its corresponding position location signal. |
| US08144674B2 |
Method and system for inter-PCB communications with wireline control
Aspects of a method and system for inter-PCB communications with wireline control may include setting up a microwave communication link between a first PCB and a second PCB via a wireline communication bus. The initialization may comprise adjusting beamforming parameters of a first antenna array communicatively coupled to the first PCB, and of a second antenna array communicatively coupled to the second PCB. The first PCB and the second PCB may communicate data via the microwave communication link. The microwave communication link may be routed via one or more relay PCBs, when the first PCB and the second PCB cannot directly communicate satisfactorily. Control data may be transferred between the first PCB, the second PCB, and/or the one or more relay PCBs, which may comprise one or more antennas. The relay PCBs may be dedicated relay PCBs or multi-purpose transmitter/receivers. |
| US08144672B2 |
Wireless wide area broadband coverage in a vehicular area network (VAN)
The disclosure relates to techniques and technologies for providing mobile wireless broadband coverage. In one implementation, Wireless Wide Area Broadband (WWAB) network elements are provided in a Vehicular Area Network (VAN) that also includes a Mobile Network Controller (MNC). The WWAB network elements in the VAN include at least one WWAB base station (BS). A mobility protocol tunnel is provided between a Mobility Management Server (MMS) and the MNC to make mobility of the WWAB network elements in the VAN transparent to the WWAB network elements in the fixed infrastructure. The WWAB BS and the MNC can allow a WWAB-enabled mobile station (MS) to connect to WWAB network elements in the fixed infrastructure. |
| US08144671B2 |
Communicating via nondeterministic and deterministic network routing
In a wireless network that includes a plurality of nodes, a method of communicating a message from an originating node, intended for receipt by a destination node, via one or more intermediate nodes, includes the steps of: (a) communicating with just a single node within the communications range of the originating node—including sending the message and the known network pathway—if a network pathway to the destination node is known by the originating node, the single node being the first intermediate node identified in the known network pathway; and (b) communicating with one or more first intermediate nodes within the communications range of the originating node—including sending the message—if a network pathway to the destination node is unknown by the originating node. |
| US08144669B2 |
System and method for best effort scheduling
A system and method for increasing bandwidth usage between an access point and a wireless device are described. One embodiment can include an access point, a prioritizer, and a priority storage device. These components can increase bandwidth usage between an access point and a wireless device by allocating previously unused transmission slots. |
| US08144668B1 |
Multiuser detection and interference suppression techniques for direct sequence spread spectrum systems in which all users employ same spreading code
The present invention considers a direct sequence spread spectrum system wherein every user employs the same spreading code. In a preferred embodiment, received signal is correlated with the training signal. Peaks of correlator output are used to identify the delays corresponding to the significant multipath components. The delays that are within a predetermined number of chips of each other are associated with a hypothesized user. In an alternate embodiment, a user separation technique is used which is based on the observation that after the training period, different users send uncorrelated data. In another alternate embodiment, linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) based correlators locked to individual users are employed. These correlators only provide multipath components of their corresponding users as output. |
| US08144664B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing a serving HS-DSCH cell change
A method and apparatus for performing a serving high speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH) cell change from a source cell to a target cell are disclosed. A radio network controller (RNC) may pre-load a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) with HS-DSCH configuration for the target cell. The WTRU receives and stores the pre-loaded HS-DSCH configuration. The WTRU may start monitoring a high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH) on the target cell using the pre-loaded HS-DSCH configuration for the target cell on a condition that a measurement report is triggered by the event 1D. The WTRU may initiate a timer when the WTRU starts monitoring the HS-SCCH on the target cell and stop monitoring the HS-SCCH on the target cell upon expiry of the timer. |
| US08144652B2 |
System and method for multi-link communication in home network
A client in a home entertainment network can communicate with other components, including the server, over both a wired and a wireless link, with the particular path being selected based a component preference, and/or a bandwidth capability, and/or an occupancy ratio. Both links may be simultaneously used. |
| US08144649B2 |
Communication control apparatus, wireless communication apparatus, communication control method, and wireless communication method
In order to send a sender side a transmission band control Msg indicating that a band has become narrow consistently with the minimum arrival time when performing communication while compensating for insufficient band of one wireless communication path with another wireless communication path, a communication control apparatus 100 and a wireless communication apparatus 300 are provided with transmission band control information generating units (109, 309) for generating transmission band control information indicating that a transmission band has become narrow based on the packets received through one wireless communication path 10A, transmission band control information generating units (109, 309) for generating transmission band control information indicating that a transmission band has become narrow based on the packets received through another wireless communication path 10B, and transmission band control information transmission path control units (115, 315) for selecting the most suitable transmission path for sending generated transmission band control information based on the band statuses of a plurality of wireless communication paths. |
| US08144644B1 |
Network-side setup of a packet-data communication session on behalf of a mobile station, followed by transfer of the communication session to the mobile station
Methods and systems are provided for network-side setup of a packet-data communication session on behalf of a mobile station, followed by transfer of the communication session to the mobile station. A radio access network (RAN) receives from the mobile station an origination message comprising a code and a called-party identifier, the code indicating that the mobile station is requesting that, on behalf of the mobile station, the RAN set up a packet-based communication session between the mobile station and an endpoint associated with the identifier. Responsive to the origination message and on behalf of the mobile station, the RAN sends to the endpoint an invitation to participate in the communication session. Responsive to the endpoint accepting the invitation, the RAN sends to the mobile station information enabling the mobile station to engage in messaging with the endpoint related to the communication session and/or participate in the communication session with the endpoint. |
| US08144636B2 |
Methods for sending small packets in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network
An improved mechanism is provided that facilitates transmission of small packets within an ad hoc peer-to-peer network. A small packet is identified to a receiver within a control channel so that its lower power can be considered in an interference management protocol implemented among local peer devices. In a traffic slot, a transmitter voluntarily backs down on the transmitter power as a smaller packet will require much lower signal-to-noise ratio. This will improve the signal energy per bit per noise power density for the transmission as well as minimize the interference caused to other wireless communications happening in the same spectrum. |
| US08144629B2 |
Admission control for services
An admission control system is disclosed in combination with a network and a computing system in communication with the network. The computing system is configured to determine a class of service requirement from a service request. The computing system is furnished with topology information about the network, a portion of the topology being based on a protocol (e.g., Multiple Spanning Tree protocol) whereby multiple paths are created for provisioning a connection for the service request. A mechanism is configured to determine if at least one path is available that satisfies the class of service requirement and to admit the service request into the network when the path is available for provisioning the connection. Bandwidth usage may be tracked and used in provisioning decisions. Requests may be made to the network to add bandwidth (e.g., through additional optical wavelengths) to accommodate service requests. |
| US08144621B2 |
Node, routing control method, and routing control program
Disclosed is a node that includes a distributed hash table generation means that generates a distributed hash table which indicates the next node to which a message is to be transferred, using a link state routing protocol, a link state information that exchange unit sends and receives link state information, and a tree delivery control unit that determines the transfer destination of the link state information so that the link state information is delivered along a tree where the source node of the link state information is a root. |
| US08144612B2 |
Systems and methods for transmitting media content via digital radio broadcast transmission for synchronized rendering by a receiver
Systems, methods, and processor readable media are disclosed for encoding and transmitting first media content and second media content using a digital radio broadcast system, such that the second media content can be rendered in synchronization with the first media content by a digital radio broadcast receiver. The disclosed systems, methods, and processor-readable media determine when a receiver will render audio and data content that is transmitted at a given time by the digital radio broadcast transmitter, and adjust the media content accordingly to provide synchronized rendering. In exemplary embodiments, these adjustments can be provided by: 1) inserting timing instructions specifying playback time in the secondary content based on calculated delays; or 2) controlling the timing of sending the primary or secondary content to the transmitter so that it will be rendered in synchronization by the receiver. |
| US08144606B1 |
Interfacing messages between a host and a network
Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a network device for interfacing a host with a network are described. One example network device includes a transmit path, and a receive path. A loopback path connects the transmit path and the receive path. A frame detection logic is configured to monitor network traffic on the transmit path to identify loopback frames. When a loopback frame is detected, a loopback logic routes the identified loopback frame onto the loopback path and then to the receive path. The rerouted loopback frame may then be received by a host or an embedded client from the receive path. |
| US08144604B2 |
Method and system for allocating multiple channels in a mesh network
A method and system for establishing multiple channels between nodes each having a single radio interface in a mesh network supporting multiple channels are provided. Each node in the mesh network initially generates a neighbor node table, taking into account at least one traffic channel temporarily established for data transmission to a neighbor node. The neighbor node table is updated when a traffic channel is established for data transmission to the neighbor node, and the neighbor node table is updated according to channel use information of the neighbor node received from the neighbor node or channel use information of a node two hops away. |
| US08144602B2 |
Network load tester with real-time detection and recording
A load tester is configured to generate traffic streams for testing a network. The traffic streams can include one or more stream objects. Each stream object can be characterized by a unique identifier and can include a fixed number of frames. The frames can share the same S_ID and D_ID while being characterized by a unique sequence count. The load tester can receive a plurality of frames, all or some of which belong to a stream object, and analyze the received frames in real-time to identify the occurrence of one or more errors such as out-of-order frame errors, dropped frame errors, and misdirected frame errors. The different types of errors can be individually recorded. |
| US08144598B2 |
Routing engine for telecommunications network
A system for automated installation of a communication line using an optimal route between a source location and a destination location is disclosed. The system includes a routing engine providing an automated design process for rendering the optimal route. The routing engine utilizes a routing algorithm to select the optimal route from a graph of capacity links defining a plurality of possible routes between the source and destination locations. If, at any time during the design process, the optimal route or capacity links defining the optimal route are detected as unavailable for any reason, the routing engine re-initiates the design process and thereafter selects a new optimal route based upon a new capacity graph built without the previously unavailable capacity link. Once designed, the available optimal route is provided to a command and control engine, which, in turn, manages the installation of the communication line using the optimal route. The command and control engine manages the process for assigning the optimal route in the provisioning system. |
| US08144593B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient routing in communication networks
Methods and apparatus for efficient routing in communication networks. In an aspect, a method is provided for traffic routing between first and second nodes in a communication network. The method includes detecting traffic transmitted between the first and second nodes, transmitting a request to a mobility agent associated with the first node to request authorization for a route optimization between the first and second nodes, receiving a response that authorizes the route optimization, and establishing an optimized route. In an aspect, an apparatus includes detector logic for detecting traffic transmitted between the first and second nodes, transmitting logic for transmitting a request to a mobility agent associated with the first node to request authorization for a route optimization between the first and second nodes, receiving logic for receiving a response that authorizes the route optimization, and connection logic for establishing an optimized route. |
| US08144592B2 |
Zone based quality of service in a fibre channel fabric
Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the configuration, management, and distribution of quality of service information in a fibre channel fabric using zoning mechanisms. Configuration of Quality of Service (QoS) information is made easy by using zones as a classifier for flows. QoS information is included in zone objects, thereby using the existing zone distribution mechanism to distribute QoS information. Devices not part of any zones are placed automatically in the default zone with a default QoS priority level. QoS information for a particular packet is available as soon as the zoning information is obtained. |
| US08144591B2 |
System and method for reducing latency in call setup and teardown
Systems and methods for reducing latency in call setup and teardown are provided. A network device with integrated functionalities and a cache is provided that stores policy information to reduce the amount of signaling that is necessary to setup and teardown sessions. By handling various aspects of the setup and teardown within a network device, latency is reduced and the amount of bandwidth needed for setup signaling is also reduced. |
| US08144590B2 |
Distributed resource allocation in stream processing systems
A system and method for resource allocation includes, in a network having nodes and links, injecting units of flow for at least one commodity at a source corresponding to the at least one commodity. At each node, queue heights, associated with the at least one commodity, are balanced for queues associated with each of one or more outgoing paths associated with that node. An amount of commodity flow is pushed across a link toward a sink, where the amount of commodity flow is constrained by a capacity constraint. Flow that reached the sink is absorbed by draining the queues. |
| US08144588B1 |
Scalable resource management in distributed environment
A method may include receiving a packet in a network device, selecting one of a group of ingress buffers, where each ingress buffer is associated with a different one of a group of processors, distributing the packet to the selected ingress buffer; and scheduling the packet, based on a congestion state of a queue in an egress buffer associated with the packet, to be processed by the processor associated with the selected ingress buffer to provide a network service. |
| US08144587B2 |
System and method for load balancing network resources using a connection admission control engine
A system and method for load balancing network resources. Network performance information regarding data flow through a network is gathered using performance information packet data packets. The data flow is distributed through access points of the network using connection control admission control engines. The distributing includes routing the data flow to more efficiently use the network resources based on the PIP data packets. |
| US08144585B2 |
Data processing device interface and methods thereof
A method of receiving communications at a data processing device includes receiving a packet from a virtual channel associated with a physical communication link. The packet is associated with a link virtual channel, and is stored in a storage location with the link virtual channel. Multiple internal virtual channels can be associated with the link virtual channel. A pointer to the storage location is enqueued in one of a plurality of FIFOs associated with one of the internal virtual channels. Each FIFO of the plurality of FIFOs stores pointers associated with a different internal virtual channel, allowing receiver arbitration logic to reorder between internal virtual channels based on internal resource availability and current priorities among virtual channels. This reduces the likelihood of communication deadlock and supports multiple classes of service. |
| US08144583B2 |
Network switch that is optimized for a telephony-capable endpoint
A method is disclosed that enables the avoidance of a processor overload of a telecommunications endpoint device that is susceptible to traffic floods. An enhanced network switch sets the speed on one of its data ports as a specific function of the speeds of the devices that are connected to one or more of its other data ports. This behavior is different from that of network switches in the prior art, in which the data rate of a port in the prior art is auto-negotiated to the highest speed that can be supported by the network elements at either end of the port's connection, regardless of the other devices present. By considering the specific devices that are connected, the enhanced network switch is able to limit the amount of traffic that is directed by an upstream device, such as a router, towards a device with limited processor capability, such as a packet-based phone. |
| US08144582B2 |
Differentiating blade destination and traffic types in a multi-root PCIe environment
Mechanisms for differentiating traffic types per host system blade in a multi-root PCI Express environment are provided. The mechanisms generate a first mapping data structure that, for each single-root virtual hierarchy in the multi-root data processing system, associates a plurality of traffic classes with a plurality of priority groups and maps each traffic class in the plurality of traffic classes to a corresponding virtual channel in a plurality of virtual channels. Moreover, a second mapping data structure is generated that maps each virtual channel in the plurality of virtual channels to corresponding per host system blade virtual links in a plurality of virtual links of the multi-root data processing system. Traffic of a particular priority group is routed from a single-root virtual hierarchy to a particular virtual link in the plurality of the virtual links based on the first mapping data structure and second mapping data structure. |
| US08144580B2 |
Method and apparatus for communicating data over a data network and controlling an amount of bandwidth a user can transmit or receive over a DSL connection
A management device for automatically provisioning a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) for use in connecting Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to an Internet Protocol (IP) network via a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) and the BRAS, the management device comprising: a first interface for receiving from time to time data readings from the DSLAM indicative of the current or recent line rate of the DSL; a processor unit for calculating from the received data readings a consistent rate indicative of a consistent line rate of the DSL based on a plurality of data readings for the DSL from the DSLAM; and a second interface for transmitting provisioning messages to the BRAS for provisioning the BRAS to restrict data flowing to the DSL to a maximum rate selected by the management device in accordance with the calculated consistent rate. |
| US08144577B2 |
Technique for efficiently managing bandwidth registration for multiple spanning tree options
A technique efficiently manages bandwidth (BW) registration for multiple spanning tree options in a computer network. According to the novel technique, an entry bridge determines multiple spanning tree paths to other bridges of the network (namely, one or more available spanning trees rooted at one or more bridges of the network) and determines a utilized (registered) BW on each of those paths. Upon receiving a request to initiate BW registration for a data flow to a destination end point, e.g., from an application source end point, the entry bridge selects one of the spanning tree paths to utilize for the data flow. Selection of the spanning tree path from among the multiple available paths may be based on (i) available bandwidth of the paths, (ii) a shortest of the paths, and (iii) a lowest bridge identifier ID for the bridge root for the path. The entry bridge sends a registration message for the data flow towards the destination end point along the selected spanning tree path. If successful, the data flow is transmitted on the selected path. If not, the entry bridge attempts to register the data flow on a next best alternate spanning tree, e.g., until a successful registration or until a determination that no further alternate spanning trees exist. |
| US08144570B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product providing multiplexing for data-non-associated control channel
A method is provided for block spreading individual control symbol sequences, mapping the block spread control symbol sequences, adding a cyclic prefix to the block spread control symbol sequences to form a data-non-associated control signaling information, and transmitting the data-non-associated control signaling information. |
| US08144567B2 |
Optical disc and optical disc apparatus
A multilayer optical disc has dimples and/or bumps on a surface of at least one of the layers. Dimensions of the dimples and/or bumps, such as size, frequency and pitch, are selected to generate frequency components in light reflected from the surface that are different from frequency of servo and/or information signals. A disc drive can then use an appropriate filter to remove signals produced by light reflections of an unintended layer. |
| US08144564B2 |
Optical head and optical information device
An optical head according to the present invention includes: a first light source that emits light with a first wavelength; a beam splitter that splits the light emitted from the first light source into a first light beam traveling in a first direction and a second light beam traveling in a second direction different from the first direction; a first collimator lens for changing degrees of divergence of the first light beam; a first mirror that changes the traveling directions of the first light beam, of which the degrees of divergence have been changed; a first objective lens for converging the first light beam, which has had its traveling directions changed, toward a storage layer of a first optical disk; a mover that holds the first objective lens; a first photodetector that receives the first light beam reflected from the storage layer of the first optical disk and converts it into an electrical signal; a condenser lens for condensing the second light beam; and a second photodetector that receives the second light beam condensed by the condenser lens and converts it into an electrical signal. |
| US08144561B2 |
Multilayer optical recording medium
A multilayer recording medium has a three-layered structure for an increased capacity, including an L0 layer, an L1 layer, and an L2 layer in order from the side farthest away from the incident surface of laser light. The recording layers are made of respective recording film materials selected so that the recording films of the recording layers have respective recording-reaction temperatures T0, T1, and T2, where T0≦T1≦T2 and T0 |
| US08144560B2 |
Method for preventing interchange of optical information carriers
The invention relates to a method for preventing interchange of a first optical information carrier (1) with a second optical information carrier in an optical drive. Initially, the light (5) is focused at the first optical information carrier (1) in the optical apparatus followed by the steps of detecting reflected light (8) from the first optical information carrier (1) and generating a plurality of signals (CA, RF, FE) from the detected light (8), such as a focus error signal (FE). Upon obtaining an indication of a signal, e.g. the focus error signal (FE), is absent or reduced below a certain level, there is a step of assessing if the first optical information carrier (1) has been removed from the optical drive. If removed, reproduction of information by the optical drive is made impossible until some pre-determined measures have been taken, e.g. restart of the optical drive or other measures. |
| US08144559B2 |
Multiple pulse recording method with 3-valued power levels
Pulses modulated between the erase power and the bottom power are used instead of cooling pulses for an optical disk medium that needs a write strategy with 4-valued power levels. Consequently, pulse instruction lines for the cooling pulses, power level instruction lines, and corresponding current source within the laser driver can be omitted. Decrease in size and lower power consumption can be accomplished. |
| US08144557B2 |
Optical information recording/reproducing apparatus and disk distinction method
An optical information recording/reproducing apparatus includes an optical source unit that emits an optical beam toward an optical information recording medium mounted on the apparatus, an optical receiving unit that receives a reflected beam of the optical beam reflected from the optical information recording medium or a transmitted beam of the optical beam transmitted through the optical information recording medium to output an output signal in response to the reflected beam or transmitted beam, and a distinction unit that discriminates whether the optical information recording medium is a hologram disk for recording information by using a holography or a reflection-type optical disk for reproducing information by virtue of the reflected beam, in accordance with the output signal output. |
| US08144553B2 |
Disk drive
A disk drive for driving a disk is disclosed, which includes: a driving unit configured to provide a driving force onto the disk, a main circuit pattern electrically connected with the driving unit, a sensor unit configured to sense a rotation speed of the disk, a first board supporting the sensor unit, a second board supporting the first board, and a base plate supporting the second board and the driving unit. One of the first board and the second board can be a flexible board electrically connecting the sensor unit with the main circuit pattern, and the other of the first board and the second board can be a rigid board. This disk drive can be utilized to ensure the distance between the sensor unit and the disk required for a rotation sensor to measure the rotation speed of the disk. |
| US08144547B2 |
Wearable electronic device with multiple display functionality
A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information. |
| US08144545B2 |
Acoustic navigation device and method of detecting movement of a navigation device
A navigation device for navigating a user interface of a processor-controlled device includes an acoustic transmitter adapted to transmit an acoustic signal, an acoustic receiver adapted to receive the acoustic signal and located at a fixed position with respect to the acoustic transmitter, and a measurement circuit coupled to an output of the acoustic receiver and adapted to determine a distance traversed by the navigation device as a function of time. |
| US08144543B2 |
Seismic data processing method for RMO picking
The invention relates to a method of processing seismic data, the said seismic data comprising a gather of seismic traces organized according to one or several acquisition parameters, comprising the steps of: a) defining an equation for an RMO curve as a combination of elementary functions of the acquisition parameter(s), b) determining an RMO curve from the equation of step (a) as a combination of orthogonal elementary functions c) for a given time or at a given depth, determining the coefficients of the combination that optimize the semblance of traces along the RMO curve. |
| US08144540B2 |
Two-port 8T SRAM design
An integrated circuit includes a two-port static random access memory (SRAM) cell, which includes a first half write-port, a second half write-port, and a read-port. The first half write-port includes a first pull-up transistor, a first pull-down transistor, and a first pass-gate transistor interconnected to each other. The second half write-port includes a second pull-up transistor, a second pull-down transistor, and a second pass-gate transistor interconnected to each other and to the first half write-port. Channel lengths of the first pass-gate transistor and the second pass-gate transistor are less than channel lengths of the first pull-down transistor and the second pull-down transistor. The read-port includes a read-port pull-down transistor connected to the first half write-port, and a read-port pass-gate transistor connected to the read-port pull-down transistor. |
| US08144537B2 |
Balanced sense amplifier for single ended bitline memory architecture
A balanced differential amplifier sense amplifier senses the voltage level in a selected single bit line memory cell. The output of the selected single bit-line memory cell is connected to one input of the balanced differential sense amplifier while the other input receives a reference voltage provided by a corresponding single bit-line memory cell from a complementary memory bank. A supporting voltage is added-to/subtracted-from the reference voltage by providing a “bump” or “dip” mechanism or by utilizing a charge-sharing structure, in order to compensate for the variation in the sensed bit-line voltage over the duration of the sensing interval as well as for the disparity in voltage level from cell to cell. |
| US08144536B2 |
Semiconductor memory and system
A word driver supplies a high level voltage to a word line when a memory cell is accessed and supplies low level voltage which is a negative voltage to the word line when the memory cell isn't accessed. A precharge circuit lowers a precharge voltage-supplying capacity to a bit line at least during a standby period when the memory cell is not accessed. A substrate voltage of an nMOS transistor with source or drain connected to the bit line is set to the low level voltage or lower of the word line. Therefore, when the word line and the bit line fails short and the voltage of the bit line changes to the low level voltage of the word line during the standby period, a substrate current can be prevented from flowing between the source of the nMOS transistor and a substrate or the drain and the substrate. |
| US08144531B2 |
Latency control circuit, semiconductor memory device including the same, and method for controlling latency
A latency control circuit includes a path calculator configured to calculate a delay value of a path that an input signal is to go through inside a chip and output the delay value as path information, a delay value calculator configured to output delay information representing a delay value for delaying the input signal based on a latency value of the input signal and the path information, and a delayer configured to delay the input signal by a delay corresponding to the delay information. |
| US08144526B2 |
Method to improve the write speed for memory products
A method and circuit are given, to realize a Bit-Line Sense Amplifier with Data-Line Bit Switch (BS) pass transistors for Random Access Memory (RAM) products as Integrated Circuit (IC) fabricated in CMOS technology with optimized operating characteristics of said RAM product with respect to good write stability and high write speed and wherein the layout area of the BS FET-switches and thus also the die size is minimized. This is achieved by using a two thickness technique of oxide layers for crucial internal circuit parts of the chip. |
| US08144521B2 |
Method of operating nonvolatile memory device
A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device comprising cell strings each comprising memory cells coupled in series between a drain select transistor and a source select transistor, including precharging a sense node to thereby precharge a bit line coupled to the cell string for a program or data read operation; and simultaneously resetting a cell channel in a state in which the drain select transistor is turned off, the source select transistor is turned on, and the memory cells are turned on by applying a first voltage to a number of word lines coupled to the memory cells during a first time period, wherein the first time period is less than a bit line precharge time period. |
| US08144518B2 |
Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device includes a nonvolatile memory, having a memory array containing 1-bit twin cells, each composed of electrically rewritable first and second storage devices, the first and second storage devices holding binary data according to difference of their threshold voltages, and having different retention characteristics depending on difference of the binary data thereof; a read circuit for differentially amplifying complementary data output from the first and second storage devices of the twin cell selected for read, and judging information stored in the twin cell; and a control circuit. Two memory cells constituting a twin cell are arranged to hold different data. Therefore, even when the retention performance of one memory cell deteriorates, the difference between data held by the two memory cells can be maintained. Hence, differential amplification of such difference enables acquisition of proper stored information. Thus, retention performance of an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory cell is improved. |
| US08144514B2 |
One-transistor floating-body DRAM cell device with non-volatile function
The 1T floating-body DRAM cell device includes a floating body for storing information of the DRAM cell device, a source and a drain formed on respective sides of the floating body, a gate insulating layer formed on a top of the floating body, a gate electrode formed on a top of the gate insulating layer, a gate stack formed under the floating body and configured to have a charge storage node for storing electric charges, and a control electrode formed on a lower side of the gate stack or partially or completely surrounded by the gate stack. The DRAM cell device performs “write0” and “write1” operations or a read operation. The DRAM cell device performs a non-volatile program operation or a non-volatile erase operation. |
| US08144513B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory
A non-volatile semiconductor device has a memory cell array having electrically erasable programmable non-volatile memory cells, reprogramming and retrieval circuits that temporarily store data to be programmed in the memory cell array and sense data retrieved from the memory cell array. Each reprogramming and retrieval circuit has first and second latches that are selectively connected to the memory cell array and transfer data. A controller controls the reprogramming and retrieval circuits on a data-reprogramming operation to and a data-retrieval operation from the memory cell array. Each reprogramming and retrieval circuit has a multilevel logical operation mode and a caching operation mode. In the multilevel logical operation mode, re-programming and retrieval of upper and lower bits of two-bit four-level data is performed using the first and the second latches to store the two-bit four-level data in one of the memory cells in a predetermined threshold level range. In the caching operation mode, data transfer between one of the memory cells selected in accordance with a first address and the first latch is performed while data transfer is performed between the second latch and input/output terminals in accordance with a second address with respect to one-bit two-level data to be stored in one of the memory cells. |
| US08144506B2 |
Cross-point memory devices, electronic systems including cross-point memory devices and methods of accessing a plurality of memory cells in a cross-point memory array
Memory devices comprise a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell including a memory element and a selection device. A plurality of first (e.g., row) address lines can be adjacent (e.g., under) a first side of at least some cells of the plurality. A plurality of second (e.g., column) address lines extend across the plurality of row address lines, each column address line being adjacent (e.g., over) a second, opposing side of at least some of the cells. Control circuitry can be configured to selectively apply a read voltage or a write voltage substantially simultaneously to the address lines. Systems including such memory devices and methods of accessing a plurality of cells at least substantially simultaneously are also disclosed. |
| US08144499B2 |
Variable resistance memory device
A variable resistance memory device includes: a first common line; a second common line; plural memory cells each formed by serially connecting a memory element, resistance of which changes according to applied voltage, and an access transistor between the second common line and the first common line; a common line pass transistor connected between the first common line and a supply node for predetermined voltage; and a driving circuit that controls voltage of the second common line, the predetermined voltage, and voltage of a control node of the common line pass transistor and drives the memory cells. |
| US08144495B2 |
Method for programming an electronic circuit and electronic circuit
The invention relates to a method for producing an electronic circuit, and to an electronic circuit, having at least one organic electrical functional layer and at least one data storage unit, the data storage unit being configured with two electrically conductive layer contacts. The two electrically conductive layer contacts are arranged alongside one another and are electrically conductively connected to one another either by an electrically conductive dry substance or by an electrically conductive solidified substance. |
| US08144494B2 |
Resistance change memory device
A resistance change memory device including: a cell array having a resistance change type of memory cells disposed at the cross-points of word lines and bit lines, the resistance value of the memory cell being reversibly settable; a word line driver circuit configured to apply a selecting drive voltage to one selected in the word lines; and a bit line driver circuit configured to drive multiple bit lines in such a manner that a set mode and a reset mode are set simultaneously for multiple memory cells selected by the selected word line, the set mode being for changing a selected memory cell from a first resistance state into a second resistance state while the reset mode is for changing a selected memory cell from the second resistance state into the first resistance state. |
| US08144491B2 |
Cascaded flying capacitor modular high voltage inverters
A high voltage inverter is provided which includes a plurality of k-level flying capacitor H bridge modules, k being greater than 2, each having a positive dc terminal, a negative dc terminal, and two ac terminals, a connecting unit for connecting said ac terminals of said plurality of k-level flying capacitor H bridge modules in series to form a cascading set of modules, and a dc source connected to an ac source and having a transformer, a rectifier rectifying an output voltage of said transformer, and a capacitor connected between the positive and negative dc terminals. |
| US08144489B2 |
Production of a real power equilibrium of the phase modules of a converter
A converter has at least one phase module, an AC voltage terminal and a DC voltage terminal. A phase module branch is formed between each DC voltage terminal and each AC voltage terminal. Each phase module branch has a series circuit containing submodules which each have a capacitor, a power semiconductor, and submodule sensors for detecting energy stored in the capacitor and with a regulation device for regulating the apparatus in dependence on energy values and predetermined desired values. Therefore unbalanced loading of the energy storage units is avoided. The regulation device has a summation unit for summing the energy values while obtaining branch energy actual values and a device for calculating circuit current desired values in dependence on the branch energy actual values. The regulation device compensates for imbalances in the branch energy actual values in dependence on the circuit current desired values. |
| US08144487B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing of isolated output
A controller for use in a power converter providing sensing of an isolated output is disclosed. An example controller includes a current controller to be coupled to an energy transfer element and an input of the power converter. A control circuit is included that generates a mode select signal coupled to be received by the current controller. A first, second or third current is enabled in the current controller in response to a selection of a first, second or third mode of operation, respectively, of the current controller by the control circuit. The first current is substantially zero, the second current is greater than the third current and the third current is greater than the first current. A first feedback circuit is coupled to the control circuit and is coupled to generate a first feedback signal representative of an output of the power converter during the first mode of operation after a period of operation of the second mode of operation of the current controller. A second feedback circuit is coupled to the control circuit and is coupled to generate a second feedback signal representative of the output of the power converter during the first mode of operation after a period of operation of the third mode of operation of the current controller. The control circuit is coupled to control selections of the first, second or third modes of operation in response to the first and second feedback signals to control a transfer of energy from the input of the power converter to the output of the power converter. |
| US08144480B2 |
Multi-layer embedded capacitance and resistance substrate core
A multi-layer imbedded capacitance and resistance substrate core. At least one layer of resistance material is provided. The layer of resistance material has a layer of electrically conductive material embedded therein. At least one layer of capacitance material of high dielectric constant is disposed on the layer of resistance material. Thru-holes are formed by laser. |
| US08144478B1 |
Circuit module and method
A circuit module having a distance compensation element and a method for manufacturing the circuit module. A thinned semiconductor chip is mounted to a top surface of a support substrate. The thinned semiconductor chip has an upper surface that is spaced apart from the top surface of the support substrate by a first distance. A circuit element having an upper surface is mounted to the support substrate, wherein the upper surface of the circuit element is spaced apart from top surface of the support substrate by a second distance. A height compensation element is mounted over the thinned semiconductor chip and attached to the top surface of the support substrate. The height compensation element has a surface spaced apart from the top surface of the support substrate by a distance greater than or equal to the second distance. |
| US08144477B2 |
Electronic device having a hinge
An electronic device includes: a key input module including a plurality of keys and configured to receive a key input; a functional component including a user interface; a first unit including a first opening and a second opening, the first opening on which the key input module is placed, and the second opening being provided near the first opening and including a bottom wall portion on which the functional component is placed; a first bracket being accommodated in the first unit and including a facing surface facing the bottom wall portion; a second unit including a display device having a display screen; and a hinge including a second bracket accommodated in the second unit and connected to the facing surface with the bottom wall portion interposed therebetween. |
| US08144476B2 |
Housing for in-vehicle electronic control unit
A box-shaped housing of an in-vehicle electronic control unit that controls an occupant crash protection system is installed to an installation surface of a vehicle and includes an opening end that defines an opening in an imaginary plane, a ceiling wall, and a peripheral wall. The housing receives a planar control circuit board of the control unit through the opening end toward the ceiling wall and securely holds the circuit board at the peripheral wall such that a plane of the circuit board is parallel to the imaginary plane. The peripheral wall includes an opening side wall section located adjacent to the opening end, and a ceiling side wall section having a thickness larger than a thickness of the opening side wall section. |
| US08144475B2 |
Electrical components coupled to circuit boards
The present invention can facilitate the coupling between electrical components and a circuit board after the circuit board is inserted into a housing of an electronic device. An electrical component can be integrated with a flexible circuit of another electrical component. The flexible circuit can be electrically and mechanically coupled to the circuit board after the circuit board is inserted into the housing. Alternatively, electrical contacts can be disposed on a body of the electrical component and a complementary set of electrical contacts can be disposed on the circuit board. When the circuit board is disposed within a receptacle of the electrical component, the electrical contacts on the electrical component are coupled directly to the electrical contacts on the circuit board. |
| US08144470B2 |
Two-piece heat sink stud
A fastening system for a heat sink mounted on a circuit board utilizes a self-clinching stud assembly constructed by axially interfitting two flat sheet metal members. Each member has forked ends which when axially plugged together in criss-cross fashion create a unified fastener with side structures that can permanently clinch into a heat sink. After attachment to the heat sink, the stud presents two opposite attachment ends with tines which extend from the top and bottom of the heat sink. As finally assembled, a fan attaches to the top end of the studs above the heat sink while the opposite end of the stud which extends from the bottom of the heat sink passes through the circuit board to attach to a retaining leaf spring which presses against the back side of the board. Thus, all of the components are joined by a single stud. |
| US08144465B2 |
Fan assembly and electronic device incorporating the same
An exemplary fan assembly includes a fan and a muffler. The fan includes an air outlet. The muffler is disposed at the air outlet of the fan. The muffler includes a base plate. The base plate defines vents therein and blades thereon corresponding to the air outlet of the fan. The blades extend from the base plate toward the fan. An electronic device incorporating the fan assembly is also provided. |
| US08144459B2 |
Heat dissipating system with fan module
A heat dissipating system includes an enclosure, a first fan module, a second fan module of a computer power source. The enclosure has a front panel, a rear panel parallel to the front panel, a side panel, and a top panel. The rear panel defines an output vent therein. A disk drive module is disposed on the front panel and near the top panel. A motherboard with a CPU is disposed on the side panel. The first fan module is configured to dissipate heat generated by the CPU. The second fan module is placed on the rear panel and is aligned with the output vent of the rear panel. The top panel defines a plurality of airflow holes corresponding to the disk drive module. The plurality of the airflow holes is capable of allowing air to flow to the disk drive module for heat dissipating. |
| US08144453B2 |
Integrated feature for friction less movement of force sensitive touch screen
A suspension system for a differential-pressure touch sensitive panel suspended over force sensors, for use in either fixed or mobile devices such as point of sales terminals, kiosks, laptops, monitors, PDAs, cell phones, UMPCs and more. In one embodiment, each side of the lens is encircled and supported by a looped string, monofilament or flexible wire, which is then looped around the back cover or base plate, forming a figure-8. The figure 8-loops bring the lens into a fixed state in the xy-plane without the addition of any friction causing physical contact. Other alternative implementations include continuous suspensions, bender suspensions and 3-dimensional force suspensions. Moreover, the present invention proposes the use of a flexible padding under the force sensors to allow the sensors to be slightly preloaded, which reduces the dependency on extremely tight mechanical tolerances. |
| US08144452B2 |
Supporting mechanism and all-in-one computer using the same
A supporting mechanism includes a base, a supporting stand, a revolving plate, and a limiting bar. The supporting stand is fixed to the base, and defines a cavity. The revolving plate is rotatably connected to the supporting stand, and defines a guide groove. An end of the limiting bar is rotatably connected to the supporting stand, and the other end of the limiting bar is movably received in the guide groove. The cavity is sealed or opened dependent on the rotation of the revolving plate. An all-in-one computer using the supporting mechanism is also disclosed. |
| US08144446B2 |
Isolated current sensor
The present disclosure includes a power measurement, circuit breaker or integrated protection system including isolated analog-to-digital modulators for measuring current using current sensors, such as, for example, current shunts, in a single or multiphase power system. In one embodiment, the modulators are divided into a line-side device with an analog-to-digital modulator and a host-side device including a decimation filter and a processor. In one embodiment, an isolation barrier, such as, for example, a pulse transformer, divides the line-side device from the host-side device. |
| US08144445B2 |
Micro-electromechanical system based switching
A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry and a current path integrally arranged with the control circuitry. The current path includes a set of conduction interfaces and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed between the set of conduction interfaces. The set of conduction interfaces have geometry of a defined fuse terminal geometry and include a first interface disposed at one end of the current path and a second interface disposed at an opposite end of the current path. The MEMS switch is responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. |
| US08144443B2 |
Discharging control apparatus of switching device for inverter
Disclosed is a discharging control apparatus of a switching device for an inverter capable of reducing a spike voltage when the switching device is turned off and reducing a turn-off time of the switching device, the apparatus comprising, a fast discharge circuit section configured to provide a discharging path through which a gate voltage of the switching device is fast discharged at a first discharging speed, an idle discharge circuit section configured to provide a discharging path through which the gate voltage of the switching device is idly discharged at a second discharging speed slower than the first discharging speed, and a spike voltage reduction controller configured to control such that the gate voltage is discharged simultaneously via the fast discharge circuit section and the idle discharge circuit section, when the switching device is turned off in the state that a normal current flows in the switching device, so as to reduce a spike voltage and simultaneously fast turn the switching device off. |
| US08144439B2 |
Method and circuit for producing rotor position signals and for the commutation of brushless direct-current motors, without using sensors
A method and a circuit are provided for the commutation of brushless direct-current motors (BLDC motors), without using sensors, and especially to a method and a circuit for producing rotor position signals, without using sensors, for the commutation of brushless direct-current motors. In the method and the circuit Hall sensor signals are emulated without sensors and rotor position signals free of disturbing pulses and with a correct phase position are generated from said signals. The rotor position signals can be used to carry out a reliable, sensor-free commutation. |
| US08144437B2 |
Magnetoresistive element and thin film magnetic head
An orthogonalizing bias function part formed at a rear part of an MR part in a DFL structure influencing a substantial orthogonalizing function of first and second ferromagnetic layers in respective magnetization directions thereof, non-magnetic metal layers formed to abut both ends of the MR part in a width direction and separated from both ends of the MR part by respective insulation layers, each of the non-magnetic metal layers being in a two-layer structure configured with a first non-magnetic metal layer positioned at a lower side as a lower layer and a second non-metal layer positioned at an upper side as an upper layer are configured, and relationship R2 |
| US08144436B2 |
Head suspension
A head suspension has a load beam and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator has an actuator base connected to a base part of the load beam and a piezoelectric element attached to an opening formed in the actuator base. The piezoelectric actuator displaces a front end of the load beam in a sway direction according to deformation of the piezoelectric element that occurs in response to a voltage applied thereto. The head suspension includes a nonconductive adhesive filled between the piezoelectric element and the opening, to fix the piezoelectric element to the opening and a trap formed on the actuator base outside the opening, to hold the nonconductive adhesive oozing out of the opening and prevent the oozed adhesive from spreading. The trap prevents the oozed adhesive from contaminating the periphery of the opening. |
| US08144435B2 |
Cost reduced microactuator suspension
An improved microactuator suspension is provided for use with high density storage media. The number of microactuator elements is reduced to one and placed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the suspension arm to maximize the windage and resonance performance and minimize the microactuator's contribution to bending stiffness and the off track bending component. An improved electrical connection eliminates the requirement for a jumper. These improvements reduce cost by reducing part count and assembly complexity. |
| US08144428B2 |
Recording tape cartridge and drive device for reducing friction
The present invention provides a recording tape cartridge that when loaded in a drive device, generation of abrasion dust from a case can be restrained. The recording tape cartridge includes: a case in which a single reel with a recording tape being wound thereon is rotatably accommodated; a first region of the case, through which a plate spring provided in a drive device passes during loading of the recording tape cartridge into the drive device; and a second region of the case, which is disposed at a position higher than the first region and with which the plate spring comes into contact with pressure after the recording tape cartridge is loaded into the drive device. |
| US08144425B2 |
Magnetic recording head with compact yoke
A compact magnetic recording head is provided. The recording head includes a write pole and a substantially planar yoke, which is coupled to the write pole. The yoke is configured to support a substantially single vortex configuration of magnetization. |
| US08144424B2 |
Timing-based servo verify head and magnetic media made therewith
A servo head capable of verifying at least one timing based pattern printed on media is provided. The servo head includes a magnetic structure having at least one magnetic element arranged and configured to form at least one magnetic gap parallel to the timing based pattern. In one embodiment, the magnetic element is arranged and configured to have a plurality of magnetic gaps being parallel to each other but not co-linear to each other. In the second embodiment, the magnetic element is arranged and configured to have a magnetic gap being parallel to and co-linear to the timing based pattern. |
| US08144415B2 |
Apparatus, signal-processing circuit and device for magnetic recording system
To effectively suppress a signal in a low frequency region in which the medium noise and the signal distortion are concentrated, and in order to effectively utilize a detected component of the reproduced signal in the low frequency region, a target of partial response equalization to the perpendicularly recorded/reproduced signal is set so that the low-frequency component around the direct current is suppressed to a regulated quantity for both the effective suppression and the effective utilization. Accordingly, a maximum-likelihood decoding process is carried out through the target of partial response equalization. Reliability of data detection is made higher and a signal-to-noise ratio is improved, so that the noise from the recording medium can be reduced more and it is possible to provide a high-density magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus. |
| US08144412B2 |
Magnetic disk device having mechanism for detecting projections on recording medium
A thin film magnetic head includes a medium projection detection mechanism that detects a projection on the surface of a recording medium. The medium projection detection mechanism has a discharging electrode, a capacitor, and an input line and an output line that are connected to the discharging electrode. The discharging electrode is configured to receive a voltage applied through the input line, and the capacitor is configured to store electric charge by the applied voltage. The output line is connected to a projection detection processing system and is connected to the charging electrode and the projection detection processing system to detect the location of the projection that is a detection target by detecting voltage change that is caused by discharging between the discharging electrode and the projection when the projection is detected. |
| US08144410B2 |
Multimodal optical imaging
Multimodal optical imaging is disclosed. Possible devices include a filter assembly that is capable of rotary action during real time image acquisition. Systems are disclosed that include such filter assemblies, which are detachable or integrated in the systems. Various techniques for capturing image targets using multiple light sources such as white light and fluorescent light are also disclosed. |
| US08144403B2 |
Zoom lens system, optical apparatus, and method for zooming
Providing a zoom lens system having excellent optical performance, an optical apparatus, and a method for zooming the zoom lens system. The zoom lens system includes, in order from an object, a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, and a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end state W to a telephoto end state T, each distance between adjacent lens groups is varied. The first lens group G1 includes, in order from the object, a front group G1a, and a rear group G1b having negative refractive power. Focusing on the object is carried out by moving the rear group G1b along the optical axis. |
| US08144399B2 |
Image presentation and micro-optic security system
An image presentation system employing microstructured icon elements to form an image. In one form a synthetic optical image system is provided that includes an array of focusing elements, and an image system that includes or is formed from an array or pattern of microstructured icon elements, such as those described below, wherein the microstructured icon elements are designed to collectively form an image or certain desired information, and wherein the array of focusing elements and the image system cooperate, for example through optical coupling, to form a synthetic optical image which image may optionally be magnified. In another form an image presentation system is provided that includes or is formed from an array or pattern of microstructured icon elements, such as those described below, wherein the microstructured icon elements are designed to collectively form an image or certain selected information, and wherein the image system is designed to stand alone and be the image viewed or the information read by use of a magnifying device, such as a magnifying glass or microscope, that is provided separately from the image system. |
| US08144397B2 |
Laminated sheet and display screen
A laminated sheet for a display screen. The laminated sheet includes a multilayer sheet A including two or more layers with different linear expansion coefficients. The laminated sheet further includes a single sheet B which is a sheet other than the multilayer sheet A. When all sheets are stacked, a viewing-side sheet is convex on an image light source side, and an image light source-side sheet is convex on the viewing side, or the viewing-side sheet and the image light source side-sheet are both convex on the image light source side, and a curvature of the viewing-side sheet is greater than a curvature of the image light source-side sheet. |
| US08144392B2 |
Waveguide amplifier in a sputtered film of erbium-doped gallium lanthanum sulfide glass
A waveguide amplifier, disposed on a substrate, composed of sputtered film of chalcogenide glass doped with Erbium is disclosed. The amplifier includes a substrate, a thick film of chalcogenide glass disposed on the substrate, a pumping device, and an optical combining device, wherein the waveguide is operable to amplify the optically combined signal. This type of amplifier has been shown to be compact and cost-effective, in addition to being transparent in the mid-IR range as a result of the low phonon energy of chalcogenide glass. |
| US08144388B2 |
Display apparatus and display sheet
A display apparatus includes: an electrode layer; a display layer that is provided on the electrode layer, and that includes a plurality of containers containing at least one of positively charged first particles and negatively charged second particles; a film provided on the display layer; and a movable electrode portion capable of applying voltage to part of a region of the display layer through the film, the film being a conductive film having lower conductivity in a planar direction than in a thickness direction of the film. |
| US08144387B2 |
Display device
An electrophoretic display includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate, a color display layer on the lower substrate, a pixel electrode on the lower substrate, and a common electrode on the lower substrate or the upper substrate. The common electrode does not overlap the pixel electrode, and an electrophoretic active layer having a dispersion medium and electrophoretic particles is arranged between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. The electrophoretic active layer is a single-polarity electrophoretic particle system, and grayscales are generated depending on the number of electrophoretic particles arranged in a portion of the electrophoretic active layer corresponding to the pixel electrode. The position of the electrophoretic particles is controlled by the magnitude of the electric field applied between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. |
| US08144386B2 |
Particles for display media and information display panel using same
There are provided particles for display media capable of properly controlling change in an amount of charge by heating and an information display panel, by using the particles for display media capable of eliminating a display failure and reduction in contrast ratio. The present invention are particles for display media used for an information display panel, in which at least one kind of display media constituted as a group of particles including chargeable particles are sealed between two opposed substrates, at least one of two substrates being transparent, and in which the display media are made to move so as to display information, wherein two or more kinds of charge control agents (CCA) are contained in at least one kind of particles for display media, at least one kind of charge control agent is positively chargeable and at least one kind of charge control agent is negatively chargeable, the positively chargeable charge control agent is a salt comprising a compound containing a quaternary ammonium cation group and an anion and the negatively chargeable charge control agent is a salt comprising a complex anion comprising a salicylic acid derivative and a metal atom, and a cation. |
| US08144385B2 |
Method and device for multistate interferometric light modulation
A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector 104. A first electrode 142 is positioned at a distance from the first reflector 104. A second reflector 14 is positioned between the first reflector 104 and the first electrode 142. The second reflector 14 is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector 104. In one embodiment, the light modulator has latch electrodes 17 and 143, which hold the light modulator in a driven state. In another embodiment the latch electrodes 17 and 143 are used to alter the actuation and release thresholds of the light modulator. |
| US08144384B2 |
Light controller
To provide a light controller allowing for an enhanced positional precision in assembly of a spatial light modulator and a random phase mask, and to provide a light controller adapted to prevent positional deviations between a spatial light modulator and a random phase mask against impacts or vibrations, allowing for an enhanced operational integrity, a light controller includes a substrate, a light modulation unit disposed on the substrate and configured for modulation of light, and a random phase mask stacked on the light modulation unit on an optical axis of the light modulation unit. |
| US08144383B2 |
Chromatic element and chromatic display device using the same
A chromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an isolation layer, a first heating element, a chromatic material layer and a second heating element. The isolation layer is disposed in the sealed enclosure and separates the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is configured to heat the first chamber. The second heating element is configured to heat the second chamber. The chromatic material layer is disposed in one of the first chamber and the second chamber. The chromatic material layer transfers from the first chamber to the second chamber in a gaseous state. |
| US08144378B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and computer program product
An image processing device includes a unit for reducing original image data of an image scanned by a scanning unit to generate a preview image; a unit for saving/reading a preview image data item of the preview image data in/from a memory; a unit for transferring the preview image data item saved in the memory to a display unit; a unit for inputting information indicating a relationship between a main scanning direction in which the image is scanned and an upper side of the image; and a unit for changing an arrangement order of pixels in the preview image data item such that the main scanning direction extends from a left side to a right side and the sub scanning direction extends from the upper side to a lower side of the preview image, as viewed with the upper side of the preview image at the top. |
| US08144362B2 |
Determining a perfect replaceable unit mounted in image forming apparatus and image forming system
When a replaceable unit is mounted, a CPU of an image forming apparatus recognizes whether or not a corresponding machine type code and a corresponding country code are stored in a main body NVM. When the corresponding machine type code and the corresponding country code are not stored in the main body NVM, the CPU reads a machine type code and a country code stored in the unit NVM of the mounted replaceable unit from the unit NVM. The CPU stores the machine type code and the country code read from the unit NVM in the corresponding machine type code and the corresponding country code of the main body NVM. |
| US08144361B2 |
Creation and placement of two-dimensional barcode stamps on printed documents for storing authentication information
A document authenticating method is disclosed by which numerous small-sized two-dimensional barcode stamps are generated and placed in a distributed manner on a printed document. The small-sized barcode stamps collectively encode the content of the document to be used for document authentication. In one example, the stamp size is about ¼ by ¼ inches or less and the tile size for the stamps is 4 by 4 pixels at a resolution of 400 dpi. The document is segmented into segments each containing a paragraph or a line of text. For each segment, a set of barcode stamps encoding the authentication data for the segment is placed in the vicinity of the segment. They may be placed in the empty space in the last line of each paragraph, in the empty space between adjacent paragraphs, or at the beginning or end of each line. |
| US08144360B2 |
System and method for processing portions of documents using variable data
System and method for creating and processing documents with variable data is disclosed. The system provides a base set of document image data residing at a first location. The base set of document image data, such as rasterized image data or image data organized in a mixed raster content (“MRC”) layer format, represents a first portion of information for a document that may not change. Further, the system obtains another set of document image data residing at a second location. The other set of document image data, which may again be rasterized image data or image data organized in an MRC layer format, represents a second portion of information for the document that may change. The system combines the base set of document image data with the other set of document image data to form a combined set of document image data for the document. |
| US08144359B2 |
System for handling image data, image processing system, image processing apparatus, method for providing image data, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program
An image processing system performs a specific process on first image data to generate second image data, and estimates, if it is specified that the second image data is to be stored into a portable storage medium, a necessary time for the second image data to be generated. If the necessary time is longer than a predetermined period of time, depending on a selection made by a user, the image processing system stores the second image data into the portable storage medium after the second image data is completely generated, or, alternatively, stores, identification information including a storage location of the second image data into the portable storage medium, and then, stores the second image data into an image data storage portion. The image processing system, then, transmits, to a terminal, the second image data stored in the image data storage portion in accordance with a request from the terminal. |
| US08144358B1 |
Providing demonstration page information in an imaging device
Imaging devices incorporating semi-volatile NAND flash memory are described herein. According to various embodiments, demonstration page information may be stored in the semi-volatile NAND flash memory, which may be reused and incorporated back into the memory pool after the demonstration page information is no longer needed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08144357B2 |
Imaging device and method of controlling the same
An imaging device receives from a host device image data and commands including a normal command and a real-time command to be processed prior to the normal command. A receiver receives a real-time processing disable command from the host device, and a processor processes the image data without processing the real-time command, even if the real-time command is included in the image data, after processing the real-time processing disable command. A method for so controlling an imaging device is also provided. The host controls transmission of image data and commands including normal and real-time commands as noted above to an imaging device. The host device comprises a detector that determines if data to be transmitted includes image data, and a processor that transmits the image data after transmitting a real-time processing disable command, if the detector determines that the data includes the image data. |
| US08144354B2 |
Method for transforming and transporting printer data over the internet in a secure and reliable manner
A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided. The method, for example, can—in certain embodiments—include transforming printer data into an extensible markup language (XML). The method can also include encapsulating the transformed printer data. The method can further include transmitting the encapsulated printer data. The transforming the printer data and the encapsulating the printer data can be designed so as to maintain security, reliability, and privacy of the printer data. The method can also, in some embodiments, include capturing complete printer data by reading the encapsulated printer data. The method can further include scanning a network to obtain the printer data, before transforming the printer data into the XML. The scanning can include at least one of the following scans: a simple network management protocol scan, a non shared desktop printers scan, or a jet direct scan. The method can be implemented by a printer service provider configured to monitor printer usage within an enterprise. |
| US08144346B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling a device with a device driver
A data processing apparatus having a device driver part for controlling a device includes a storing part configured to store device capability data, a receiving part configured to receive a designation of a PrintTicket having setting data indicating control settings used for controlling the device, a determining part configured to determine whether the designated PrintTicket has been fabricated by the device driver part or another device driver part, a first controlling part configured to apply all of the setting data to the control settings in a case where the designated PrintTicket is determined to be fabricated by the device driver part, and a second controlling part configured to compare the device capability data with the setting data and apply at least a part of the setting data to the control settings in a case where the designated PrintTicket is determined to be fabricated by the other device driver part. |
| US08144340B2 |
Surface sensing device with optical sensor
A surface sensing device for use in position determining apparatus has an elongate stylus with a tip for scanning the surface of a workpiece to be measured. Lateral displacements of the stylus tip are detected by a light beam which passes along the stylus from a light source to a retroreflector. This reflects the beam back via a beamsplitter to a position sensitive detector. The stylus is mounted for longitudinal displacement on a carriage. The longitudinal displacement is measured by another light beam projected by the beamsplitter onto a second position sensitive detector. |
| US08144339B2 |
Method and system for positioning by using optical speckle
A method and system for positioning by using optical speckle are disclosed in this invention. A highly coherent laser light irradiates a positioning template in advance to record optical speckles caused by interference by scattered light beams from the positioning template for establishing a speckle database. Furthermore, a reference point is defined to position each recorded speckle. Therefore, a coordinate with respect to the reference point corresponding to a specified speckle can be used to position a target or applied to distance measurement by the speckle database. The precision of the speckles according to the present invention is within several micrometers. Hence, it can provide high precision positioning. |
| US08144334B2 |
Fiber-optic, digital system for laser Doppler vibrometers (LDVs)
An apparatus and method for non-determination of the surface velocity of a target using optical interference and Doppler shifting of the light reflected from the target are disclosed. It may be used to measure small-amplitude, acoustic frequency surface vibrations as well as non-periodic surface vibration. |
| US08144324B2 |
Method and apparatus for scanning hyper-spectral image
The apparatus for scanning at least one hyper-spectral image comprises an optical system, the hyper-spectrometer and the relay module. The hyper-spectrometer is disposed apart from the optical system. The optical system can focus an optical image of a target in a focal plane thereof, where the focal plane contains a plurality of row portions of the optical image. The relay module can selectively relay one of the row portions of the optical image to the hyper-spectrometer. Moreover, a method for scanning at least one hyper-spectral image is disclosed in specification. |
| US08144321B2 |
Encoding optical spectra using a DMD array
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for encoding an optical spectrum includes a dispersive element, a digital micromirror device (DMD) array, a detector, and a controller. The dispersive element receives light from a source and disperses the light to yield light components of different wavelengths. The digital micromirror device (DMD) array has micromirrors that modulate the light to encode an optical spectrum of the light. The detector detects the light that has been modulated. The controller generates an intensity versus time waveform representing the optical spectrum of the detected light. |
| US08144320B2 |
Method and apparatus for reconstructing optical spectra in a static multimode multiplex spectrometer
The static MMS spectral reconstruction process is optimized using algorithmic methods. Because the static MMS encodes spectral information across the detector plane in a highly non-local way, optical errors have a non-local effect on the reconstruction which introduces noise and errors at regions throughout the spectral range. Mathematical signal processing techniques are used to condition and deconvolve the spectral image to compensate for non-ideal system behavior. Spectral signal-to-noise and accuracy are both improved, while the inherent resolution and etendue advantages of the static MMS technique are retained. |
| US08144316B2 |
Instrument and method for measuring total luminous flux of luminous elements
The present invention provides an instrument and method for measuring total luminous flux of luminous elements, which forms an approximately uniform spatial intensity distribution by simultaneously lighting a plurality of luminous elements for measurement in an integrating sphere when comparing a total luminous flux standard lamp with the luminous elements to measure the total luminous flux of the luminous elements, thus not requiring spatial mismatch error correction. |
| US08144315B2 |
Method and apparatus for characterizing a multilayered structure
An apparatus and method for characterizing the complex coupling coefficient of a multilayered periodic structure either during or after inscription is described. This apparatus is capable of continuously measuring the complex reflectivity at single or multiple wavelengths to a resolution limited by Rayleigh scattering in the waveguide section where the structure is inscribed. The apparatus is also capable of rejecting undesired signals associated with stray reflections in the system and unwanted environmentally induced change in optical path lengths during the inscription procedure. The complex coupling coefficient of the multilayered periodic structure can be derived from the measured complex reflectivity and can reveal errors present in the structure. The complex coupling coefficient can also be used to derive an error signal to enable implementation of a closed loop inscription system capable of inscribing error free multilayer structures. |
| US08144311B2 |
Laser apparatus and distance measurement apparatus
A technique for selecting two or more wavelengths of output light by a simpler structure is provided. A laser apparatus includes a laser oscillation portion for oscillating laser light; a nonlinear crystal inputting the laser light from the laser oscillation portion as a fundamental wave, the nonlinear crystal converting the fundamental wave into a second harmonic wave and changing conversion efficiency according to a temperature thereof, the nonlinear crystal having a periodically poled structure; and a ratio control means for controlling a ratio of the fundamental wave and the second harmonic wave outputting from the nonlinear crystal by controlling the temperature of the nonlinear crystal. |
| US08144307B2 |
Image forming method and apparatus
An array of phase-shifting micro-mechanical elements are used in a method and device for patterning a workpiece, for exposing a radiation sensitive layer on a workpiece such as a mask or a device substrate. The phase-shifting micro-mechanical elements are individually driven to modulate the electromagnetic radiation such that a high degree of control and precision in patterning is achieved. In some embodiments, the motion of the workpiece is synchronized with the relayed electromagnetic radiation that is modulated by the phase-shifting micro-mechanical elements in order to further control and increase precision in the patterning of the workpiece. |
| US08144304B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving a flat panel display and repairing a flat panel display signal line
An apparatus is for use in a display device having a defective signal line with a defect that isolates a first signal line portion from a second signal line portion of the defective signal line. The apparatus includes a signal driver that has a driver output terminal electrically connected to the first signal line portion, and a first repair buffer having an input terminal and an output terminal. A repair line is electrically connected to the output terminal of the first repair buffer. The input terminal of the first repair buffer is initially electrically isolated from the defective signal line. To repair the defective signal line, the input terminal of the first repair buffer is electrically connected to the defective signal line to enable a signal from the signal driver to travel through the first repair buffer over the repair line to the second signal line portion of the defective signal line. |
| US08144302B2 |
Display substrate and method for manufacturing the same
A display substrate includes a first metal pattern including a gate line and a signal line, a first insulation layer formed on a substrate where the first metal pattern is formed, a first electrode formed on the first insulation layer, and a second metal pattern including a connecting electrode and a data line. The first insulation layer includes a first opening portion exposing a portion of the signal line. The first electrode corresponds to a unit pixel. The connecting electrode is connected to the first electrode and the signal line through the first opening portion. |
| US08144300B2 |
Printed circuit board and display device using the same
A printed circuit board on which a connector is mounted includes a conductive layer, insulating layers, and a supporting member. A part of the conductive layer is exposed on a top surface of the PCB in order to form a connecting pad portion for connecting the connector. The insulating layers are disposed proximate to both sides of the conductive layer. The supporting member is connected to the conductive layer and covers a surface of a hole formed by opening an orifice through the conductive layer and the insulating layer. The hole is disposed adjacent to the connecting pad portion. |
| US08144297B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a pair of substrates with liquid crystal therebetween, and a plurality of pixel regions provided on one substrate. Each pixel region is constituted of one and another region including a switching element, a pixel electrode, and a counter electrode. In the one region, the counter electrode extends substantially planar at a center except at a periphery of the one region, and the pixel electrode is constituted of a first group of electrodes which extend in one direction and arranged in parallel at a first distance. In the another region the counter electrode is constituted of a group of electrodes which extend in one direction and arranged in parallel in a direction which intersects the one direction in the another region, and the pixel electrode is constituted of a second group of electrodes which extend in the one direction and arranged in parallel at a second distance. |
| US08144292B2 |
Color filter for transflective type liquid crystal display
The main object of the present invention is to provide a color filter for a transflective type color liquid crystal display which is easily produced and capable of displaying the same color tone with both of a reflecting light and a transmitting light, and shows light scattering in a reflective light region. In order to attain the above mentioned object, the present invention provides a color filter for transflective type color liquid crystal display comprising a transparent substrate and a reflective light coloring layer and a transmissive light coloring layer formed on the transparent substrate, wherein, a convex-concave is formed on a surface of a liquid crystal layer side of the reflective light coloring layer, and an average thickness of the reflective light coloring layer is formed to be thinner than the thickness of the transmissive light coloring layer, and a refractive index difference between the reflective light coloring layer and a layer in contact with the surface of the convex-concave formed side of the reflective light coloring layer, is 0.1 or more. Further, a main object of the present invention is to provide a color filter for transflective type liquid crystal display comprising a transparent membrane pattern region obtained by laminating: a transparent substrate; a transparent membrane pattern layer comprising a transparent membrane formed in a pattern on the transparent substrate; and a coloring layer formed so as to cover the transparent membrane pattern layer. |
| US08144289B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel, thin film transistor array substrate and curing line structure for phase separation alignment process
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display panel, a thin film transistors array substrate and curing line structure thereof in use of phase separation alignment (PSA) process. The curing line structure has a contact pad allocated on a periphery area of the substrate, and a transmission line extending from the contact pad, passing over a sealant-distributing area of the substrate, to be electrically connected with at least one common line located on a pixel expression area of the substrate. A predetermined interval is kept between the transmission line and each of the adjacent transmission lines on the substrate to ensure a non-electrical contact between the transmission line and the adjacent transmission lines. |
| US08144285B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An exemplary liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a liquid crystal panel, a light guide plate, and blocks. The light guide plate includes a light emitting surface and cutouts. The blocks engage the cutouts, forming an accommodating space. The liquid crystal panel is accommodated in the accommodating space, and attached on the light emitting surface. |
| US08144284B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a backlight, a frame having flexibility which includes a base portion and a side portion, and a case which is attached on a side opposite to the display surface side of the frame and engages with the frame, wherein a claw portion which is provided on an inner surface of the side portion of the frame and projected toward a liquid crystal panel and, a protruding portion which pushes the claw portion toward the liquid crystal panel is provided on at least one of the inner surface of the side portion of the case and an outer surface of the side portion of the frame, and the claw portion which is contact with the display surface of the liquid crystal panel in a state in which the claw portion is pressed by the protruding portion. |
| US08144283B2 |
Circuit and method for repairing a broken line of a flat panel display device
The present invention relates to a circuit and a method for repairing a broken line of a flat panel display device. The circuit includes a second repairing line and a resistance access port is disposed on the second repairing line. The method includes: disposing a resistance access port on a second repairing line of the flat panel display device; and connecting a resistance meeting a display requirement to the resistance access port. The above solutions enable the circuit for repairing to adjust the load resistance so as to adjust the display effect by disposing the resistance access port; thereby improving the repairing effect and making the display quality of the repaired flat panel display device meet the requirement. |
| US08144279B2 |
Active matrix substrate, liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display unit, liquid crystal display and television receiver
A pair of pixel electrodes provided on each pixel in the same pixel array are connected to one or the other of two adjacent data signal lines. When two consecutive pixels are sequentially blocked, for two pixels belonging to the same block and being adjacent in a column direction, the data signal line to which two pixel electrodes provided on one of the pixels are connected is different from the data signal line to which two pixel electrodes provided on the other of the pixels are connected. For two pixels belonging to different blocks and being adjacent in the column direction, the data signal line to which two pixel electrodes provided on one of the pixels are connected is the same as the data signal line to which two pixel electrodes provided on the other of the pixels are connected. |
| US08144278B2 |
Optically compensated birefringence mode liquid crystal display device
An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized active matrix type liquid crystal display device that may achieve large-sized display, high precision, high resolution and multi-gray scales.According to the present invention, gray scale display is performed by combining time ratio gray scale and voltage gray scale in a liquid crystal display device which performs display in OCB mode. In doing so, one frame is divided into subframes corresponding to the number of bit for the time ratio gray scale. Initialize voltage is applied onto the liquid crystal upon display of a subframe. |
| US08144270B2 |
Color filter device and method for fabricating the same
A liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) panel is disclosed. The LCoS panel includes: a substrate having at least one metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor thereon; a pixel electrode array disposed on the substrate; a plurality of color filters with at least two different colors disposed on the pixel electrode array, wherein adjacent color filters comprise a gap therebetween and at least two of the color filters are not coplanar; an inorganic film disposed on the color filters and within the gap; and an organic film covering the inorganic film entirely. |
| US08144269B2 |
Reflective LCOS displays utilizing novel polarizing beam splitters
Disclosed are display systems using reflective liquid-crystal microdisplays that efficiently use unpolarized light sources without needing to double the étendue of the source as occurs with conventional polarization conversion systems. Furthermore, the display systems can utilize on-axis projection lenses, and fast-switching ferroelectric-liquid-crystal-on-silicon (FLCOS) microdisplays. The systems utilize beam splitters that split unpolarized incident light into two diverged beams of opposite polarization. Ferroelectric liquid crystal display elements are combined with fixed retarders to enable an element that can selectively flip or not flip the handedness of incident circularly polarized light. |
| US08144268B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display screen, a front cabinet, a rear cabinet and a switch member. The front cabinet has a pair of front supporting portions. Each of the front supporting portions has a threaded hole. The rear cabinet has a pair of rear supporting portions. Each of the rear supporting portions has a first through hole. The switch member is fixedly coupled between the front cabinet and the rear cabinet with screws and has a pair of brackets. Each of the brackets has a second through hole, and is sandwiched between each pair of the front supporting portion and the rear supporting portion. The screws are inserted through the first through holes of the rear supporting portions and the second through holes of the brackets and threaded into the threaded holes of the front supporting portions. |
| US08144266B2 |
Module system for permitting storage device interface with TV
In a TV system with a modular configuration that permits licensed primary modules such as disk players and personal video recorders to be removably slid into engagement with receptacles in the TV housing, an adapter primary module is provided that is formed with secondary receptacles for receiving secondary modules. The secondary modules have USB ports, Ethernet ports, and memory card slots in a configuration that can be designed by entities other than the TV manufacturer, with the secondary modules having to conform to proprietary licensed interfaces in the adaptor module to ensure a degree of control by the TV manufacturer. |
| US08144265B2 |
Liquid crystal television receiver and liquid crystal display device
The liquid crystal television receiver comprises an inverter circuit 28, transistors Q14, Q13, and a microcomputer 22. The inverter circuit 28 includes resistors R5, R6, R7, R8 determining the value of a tube current that is supplied to cold cathode fluorescent tubes of a backlight 26, and supplies to the cold cathode fluorescent tubes an alternating voltage. An emitter and a collector of the transistor Q14 are connected to two opposite ends of the resistor R6, and an emitter and a collector of the transistor Q13 are connected to two opposite ends of the resistor R7. The microcomputer 22 has a control terminal connected to bases of the transistors Q13, Q14, and detects a synchronizing signal in an image signal inputted to an image signal processing portion 12. |
| US08144262B2 |
Projection apparatus and system
A projection apparatus comprises a receiver, a processor, and a frame projector. A sensor detects a horizontal position of a user in front of a screen and transmits a horizontal position signal. The receiver receives the horizontal position signal. The processor generates an on screen display (OSD), and superimposes the OSD onto a projection frame. The frame projector projects the superimposed frame onto the screen. During projection, the OSD covers the face of the user. |
| US08144261B2 |
Systems and methods for optical block level adjustment of rear projection TVs
In a rear-projection TV system in which the image is generated by an optical engine and projected through a mirror towards a diffusion plate screen, picture quality adjustment is undertaken at the optical block level to reduce the distance between the adjustment device and screen and thereby improve production throughput in the dark room in which the adjustments are made. |
| US08144259B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus and method for minimizing program interruption by an emergency warning signal
A broadcast receiving apparatus is equipped with a plurality of tuners that can respectively receive a control signal including region information identifying a region and channel designation information designating a program broadcast channel. A channel selection action of each tuner, display processing for a display unit, and recording processing for a storage unit are controlled based on a channel selection state of each tuner and the control signal. Furthermore, a tuner to select a channel designated by the channel designation information is determined based on a state of use of each tuner. |
| US08144253B2 |
Multi-frame approach for image upscaling
Video upscaling may be performed by effectively combining several different image processing techniques. The video is processed using temporal based motion estimation and subsequently filtered using a spatial filter. The spatially filtered image is sharpened and noise is suppressed. Also, the images in the video are upscaled. |
| US08144252B2 |
Noise reduction apparatus and noise reduction method
According to one embodiment, an input image signal is passed through a plurality of first high pass filters having different passing frequency band to generate level histograms. High frequency component noise reduction processing is applied to the output of one of the first high pass filters selected based on one of the generated histograms that satisfies a predetermined threshold, low frequency component noise reduction processing is applied to a result obtained by subtracting the output of the selected first high pass filter from the input image signal, and outputs obtained by both the noise reduction processing are added. |
| US08144244B2 |
Imaging device
Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: a body portion; a lens mount portion provided on the body portion for mounting a detachable taking lens; a body-side coupler provided in the body portion and adapted to be connected to a lens-side coupler of the taking lens in mounting the taking lens to the lens mount portion, the body-side coupler being rotated in concert with a moving operation of a focus lens provided in the taking lens; and load applying section configured to apply a braking load to the body-side coupler. |
| US08144238B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
In position and orientation measurement based on natural features, erroneous detection of the natural features is prevented when an observation target object is occluded by another object, and registration stability is improved. To this end, an occluding object that can occlude the observation target object is defined, and an occluding region where the occluding object occludes the observation target object is detected in an input captured image. Image features of the observation target object are detected in a region of the captured image other than the detected occluding region. Therefore, the position or orientation of an image pickup apparatus that captured the captured image, or the position or orientation of the observation target object in the captured image are calculated. |
| US08144237B2 |
Image pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus
An image pickup optical system including: a first prism including: a first incident surface where subject beam enters; a division surface for dividing the beam from the first incident surface into image-pickup beam and focus-detection beam; and a first exit surface from which reflection beam reflected on the division surface, the image-pickup beam or the focus-detection beam, exits; and a second prism including: a second incident surface on which transmission beam passing through the division surface, the image-pickup beam or focus-detection beam, enters; and a second exit surface from which the transmission beam exits, wherein the reflection beam is reflected on the division surface, reflected on the first incident surface, and reflected on the division surface to reach the first exit surface, and satisfying 0.1 |
| US08144233B2 |
Display control device, display control method, and display control program for superimposing images to create a composite image
A display control device includes: a composite image generating unit configured to generate a composite image by compositing a unit image and a still image, such that a still image which is correlated with a moving image and has a still image aspect ratio different from a moving image aspect ratio, is superimposed on a portion of a unit image of the moving image which is formed of multiple temporally continuous unit images having a moving image aspect ratio; and a display control unit configured to display the composite image on a display screen of a display unit. |
| US08144232B2 |
Camera system and method for picture sharing using geotagged pictures
A system and method provide interactive techniques for sharing digital photos, in which a user of a portable electronic device may seek out a location at which another electronic device was used to capture a photo. The captured image may then be displayed on a display of the user's electronic device by superimposing the photo on the display while the display functions as an electronic viewfinder for a camera assembly of the electronic device. The viewing of another person's photos is made to be an interactive and entertaining experience. The disclosed techniques combine the user's “real world” presence (e.g., location and viewing perspective) with the previously captured photo to create a fun and exciting experience that also may serve as a trigger for communication between the user and the person who took the photo. |
| US08144229B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device
A solid-state image pickup device including a driver-control unit configured to control the operation timing of a pulse-driven actuator driver based on the read timing of the sensor of a solid-state image pickup element is provided. |
| US08144228B2 |
Image sensor having a ramp generator and method for calibrating a ramp slope value of a ramp signal
An apparatus and method for calibrating a ramp slope value of a ramp signal to increase the accuracy of the slope of the ramp signal used within CMOS image sensors. An image sensor includes an active pixel sensor (APS) array, a ramp signal generator and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The APS array is configured to generate a reset signal and an image signal for a pixel of a selected row of the APS array. The ramp signal generator is configured to generate a ramp signal, a ramp slope value of the ramp signal being adjusted based on a slope control signal. The ADC is configured to generate a digital code based on the ramp signal and a difference between the reset signal and the image signal. |
| US08144227B2 |
Image pickup device and image pickup result outputting method
The present invention is applied to an image pickup device with a CMOS solid-state image pickup element, in which an analog-to-digital conversion circuit is disposed in a surface on an opposite side from an image pickup surface in a semiconductor chip 2. |
| US08144226B2 |
Two-by-two pixel structure in an imaging system-on-chip
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate mitigating an impact resulting from mismatch between signal chains in a CMOS imaging System-on-Chip (iSoC) sensor. Two-by-two pixel structures can be a basic building block upon which a pixel array is constructed. Further, each two-by-two pixel structure can be associated with a read bus that carries a sampled signal to a top end and a bottom end of a chip. Moreover, multiplexers at either end of the chip can select a subset of the read buses from which to receive a subset of the sampled signals. Accordingly, pixels in a first color plane can be read, processed, etc. on the same side of the chip (e.g., utilizing a common signal chain), while pixels in at least one second color plane can be read, processed, etc. on the other side of the chip (e.g., employing a differing signal chain). |
| US08144221B2 |
Image sensor apparatus and methods employing unit pixel groups with overlapping green spectral content
An apparatus includes an array of color-selective sensors arranged as a plurality of repeating 2×2 unit pixel groups. Each sensor of a unit pixel group of the array is selective for a color including a green component. The unit pixel group includes respective sensors selective for respective first and second colors and two sensors selective for a third color. Signals from the sensors of the unit pixel groups may define a first color signal space, and the apparatus may further include an image processor circuit configured to receive image sensor signals from the array of color-selective sensors and to process the image sensor signals to generate image signals in a second color signal space. |
| US08144214B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging method, integrated circuit, and storage medium
An imaging apparatus captures a large dynamic range image of a scene including a backlit person with a blue sky background in a manner that the person's face has an appropriate luminance level without saturating the background sky. An imaging unit obtains analogue image signals through exposure control that prevents a highlight from being saturated, an A/D converter converts the analogue image signals to digital image signals, and a signal processing unit linearly increases the dynamic range of the digital image signals. The image signals with the increased dynamic range are nonlinearly compressed to have a dynamic range of 100% or less through nonlinear dynamic range compression that intensively compresses a highlight portion. The imaging apparatus with this structure first increases the dynamic range of an image and efficiently compresses the increased large dynamic range of the image. |
| US08144211B2 |
Chromatic aberration correction apparatus, image pickup apparatus, chromatic aberration amount calculation method, and chromatic aberration amount calculation program
The invention relates to a chromatic aberration correction apparatus. A judgment unit judges whether a selected pixel of interest is a white overexposure pixel or not on the basis of white overexposure pixel distribution information that is held in a white overexposure distribution information memory. A white overexposure pixel judgment is made for each of pixels that make up an image. A reader reads, for each selected pixel of interest that is judged as a white overexposure pixel by the judgment unit, chromatic aberration amount distribution information for a certain area that is determined on the basis of the selected pixel of interest out of a chromatic aberration distribution information memory. An adder adds each chromatic aberration amount contained in the chromatic aberration amount distribution information that is read by the reader to a value of the corresponding position in the storage area of a chromatic aberration amount memory. |
| US08144206B2 |
Imaging apparatus adapted to perform normal imaging and high-speed imaging
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit having a discrete pixel structure that outputs directly signals of respective M sample points corresponding to M pixels per single frame for normal imaging and imaging at a first frame rate. The imaging unit adds signals of respective N pixels out of M pixels per single frame and outputs signals of M/N sample points (M and N are integers equal to or greater than 2) at each frame for high-speed imaging and imaging at a second frame rate greater than the first frame rate. An operation unit outputs directly output signals from the imaging unit for normal imaging and performs interpolation operations on the output signals from the imaging unit for interpolating signals of the (N−1) sample points between respective sample points to output interpolated signals of the M sample points for high-speed imaging. |
| US08144205B2 |
Electronic camera with feature image recognition
An electronic camera includes an image sensor, and an object scene image is repetitively output from the image sensor. A CPU repetitively determines whether or not the object scene image output from the image sensor has a face image turned to the imaging surface prior to a half depression of a shutter button. A face detection history including a determination result is produced on a face detection history table by the CPU. The CPU decides a face image position on the basis of the face detection history described in the face detection history table when the shutter button is half-depressed. An imaging condition such as a focus, etc. is adjusted by noting the determined face image position. |
| US08144204B2 |
Self-contained wireless camera device, wireless camera system and method
A self-contained wireless camera (10) and a wireless camera system (25) having such a device and a base station (20). Video processing circuitry (200, 210) of the camera device receives video signals from a camera (130) and provides processed video signals. A radio receiver (101) receives processed video signals from the base station or another camera device. Images from the camera or the base station are displayed in a selected manner on a display or monitor (140). The base station device (20) receives processed video signals, stores them and retransmits them. A command signal is received by the radio receiver to modify operation in such a manner as to control bandwidth usage. Wireless camera devices can adjust their operation to accommodate other wireless camera devices. Different transport protocol modules 230 and 240 can be selected according to the application that the user selects for operation. |
| US08144203B2 |
Image pickup apparatus including image shake correction
An image pickup apparatus includes a first detection unit for detecting a rotation shake, a first computation unit for processing a detection signal of the rotation shake into a rotation shake correction target value, a second detection unit for detecting a parallel shake in a plane surface perpendicular to an optical axis, a second computation unit for process a detection signal of the parallel shake into a parallel shake correction target value, a shake correction unit for correcting an image shake in the plane surface of the image pickup apparatus based on the rotation and parallel shake correction target values, an initialization unit for initializing the parallel shake correction target value, and a control unit for moving the shake correction unit based on an image pickup start instruction prior to an image pickup operation while initializing the parallel shake correction target value. |
| US08144201B2 |
Portable computer capable of performing digital photo frame function under main-power-off state
This invention discloses a portable computer capable of performing a digital photo frame function under a main-power-off state. The portable computer includes a base, a display device, an image capturing device, an image capturing switch, and a processor. The display device includes a frame pivotally connected to the base. The image capturing device and the image capturing switch are disposed at the frame. The image capturing switch is operated to output a first request signal to the processor. In response to the first request signal, the processor drive the image capturing device to capture a first image under the main-power-off state, and the processor instantly displays the first image on the display device under the main-power-off state. |
| US08144199B2 |
Moving object automatic tracking apparatus
Disclosed is a moving object automatic tracking apparatus that includes a movement detector for detecting movement of a moving object from an image obtained in time series from an image input portion. A tracker tracks the moving object by controlling a platform of the image input portion in a direction of movement of the moving object based on a movement detection result of the movement detector. An area manager manages a registered preset position and new registration of a preset position indicating an area for executing tracking by the tracker and movement detection by the movement detector. A patrol monitor conducts monitoring while patrolling plural preset positions set and managed by the area manager, and when a position in which the moving object is tracked and lost differs from the initialized preset position, the lost position is newly added and registered as an adaptive preset position. |
| US08144198B2 |
Imaging system
An imaging system, particularly a thermal imager, has a detector operating in at least two sensitivity modes. The detector is read on a pixel-by-pixel basis in each of at least two modes and output therefrom is substantially simultaneously displayed so that a wide range of thermal sensitivities are simultaneously displayed. The detector is, preferably, read out at maximum and minimum sensitivity levels at least half the field rate and, advantageously, at the field rate of a display. In a preferred embodiment, color is added to the normally provided gray scale output from the detector ranging from black for the coolest object through white and yellow to red for the hottest object. |
| US08144194B2 |
Controlling an imaging apparatus over a delayed communication link
Method that includes: enabling the user to track a user-identified target on a currently presented image of periodically transmitted images from an imaging apparatus; calculating a distance between the estimated location of the user-identified target in view of the user's tracking and the estimated location of the pointing point of the imaging apparatus at said future time, wherein the estimation relate to a future time by which a command control currently transmitted by the user reaches the imaging apparatus; and calculating a command control required for s directing the pointing point of the imaging apparatus onto the user-identified target, based on said calculated distance, the estimated average velocity of the user-identified target and further based on all previous control commands that had been already transmitted by the user but have not yet affected the currently presented image due to the delay in the communication link. |
| US08144192B2 |
Simplified image display apparatus and receiving system
To realize a simplified image display apparatus that prevents electrical connection between an external monitor and a receiving device when an electric signal generated by the receiving device is transmitted to the external monitor. The simplified image display apparatus includes a photocoupler 23 formed of a light emitting unit 21 electrically connected only to an input terminal 10 and a light receiving unit 22 that receives light output from the light emitting unit 21, a demodulator 24 that demodulates a received radio signal, a switching unit 25 that outputs either one of electric signals from the photocoupler 23 and from the demodulator 24, and a data generator 26 that applies predetermined signal processing to the electric signal input from the switching unit 25 to generate image data, and outputs the image data to a display unit 9 and an output terminal 11. |
| US08144178B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus and image-forming apparatus using the same
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical scanning apparatus which includes a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser including a plurality of light-emitting portions that are spaced from each other in at least a sub-scanning direction, a first optical system including a light-condensing element that converts each of light beams from the laser into a light beam in another state; a deflector that reflects and deflects the light beams from the first optical system, and a second optical system that focuses the light beams deflected by the deflecting member on a surface to be scanned, where the second optical system includes at least an imaging optical element having an optical surface with a non-arc shape in a sub-scanning cross section. |
| US08144171B2 |
Scale-dependent rendering of natural media styles
A method for generating a scale-dependent rendering of natural media styles in a vector-based graphics application is disclosed. A vector-based graphics drawing may be resized such that certain scale-dependent parameters are scaled proportionately, while other scale-independent parameters are not scaled. The result of such resizing is a scaled rendering of the vector-based graphics drawing that closely resemble hand drawn images created using natural media materials. |
| US08144168B2 |
Image display apparatus and image display method
An image display apparatus that displays an image on the basis of input image signals corresponding to sub-pixels forming one pixel includes a shift-amount storing unit that stores shift amounts of display positions of the sub-pixels relative to given reference positions in a display image, an image-signal correcting unit that corrects the input image signals according to the shift amounts, and an image display unit that displays an image on the basis of the image signals corrected by the image-signal correcting unit. |
| US08144165B2 |
Color processing apparatus, color processing method, and computer readable medium storing color processing program
A color processing apparatus includes an image signal acquisition section, a color conversion matrix storage section, a matrix regularization processing section and a normal color conversion section. The image signal acquisition section acquires an image signal containing a predetermined input color signal. The color conversion matrix storage section stores information of a color conversion matrix which associates the input color signal and an output color signal with each other. The matrix regularization processing section reads the information of the color conversion matrix from the color conversion matrix storage section and converts the color conversion matrix into a nonsingular matrix. The normal color conversion section converts the input color signal acquired by the image signal acquisition section into an output color signal using the nonsingular matrix. |
| US08144164B2 |
Image display apparatus and method
A display image of a frame is input in time series. An inverse colored image to cancel the display image is generated. The display image is divided into a plurality of subfields, and the inverse colored image is also divided into a plurality of subfields. A time divisional image is generated by disposing a display time of a subfield of the inverse colored image before and after a display time of a corresponding subfield of the display image. While displaying the time divisional image on a screen, a light from the screen is transmitted in synchronization with display timing of the display image in a display time of the time divisional image, and the light is cut off in synchronization with display timing of the inverse colored image in the display time of the time divisional image. |
| US08144161B2 |
Texture synthesis
A texture synthesis device, which has a determinator for determining a prioritization among regions to be synthesized of an area to be synthesized, as a function of image information in an area adjacent to the area to be synthesized, and a synthesizer for synthesizing the regions to be synthesized in an order that depends on the prioritization. |
| US08144159B2 |
Partial display updates in a windowing system using a programmable graphics processing unit
Techniques to generate partial display updates in a buffered window system in which arbitrary visual effects are permitted to any one or more windows (e.g., application-specific window buffers) are described. Once a display output region is identified for updating, the buffered window system is interrogated to determine which regions within each window, if any, may effect the identified output region. Such determination considers the consequences any filters associated with a window impose on the region needed to make the output update. |
| US08144157B2 |
Method for processing font data in embedded system
A method for processing font data is used in an embedded system exhibiting a display function. The embedded system includes a first processor, a second processor, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The method for processing font data includes steps of: issuing a request by the first processor; converting vector-based font data stored in the non-volatile memory into bit-based font data by the second processor wherein the bit-based font data are stored in the volatile memory, and generating a finish notice by the second processor after the vector-based font data are converted into the bit-based font data; and activating the on screen display function of the embedded system responding to the finish notice by the first processor. |
| US08144152B2 |
System and method for presentation of data streams
An in-vivo sensing system and a method for creating a summarized graphical presentation of a data stream captured in-vivo. The graphical presentation may be in the form of for example a color bar. The color bar may be a fixed display along side a streaming display of the data stream. A cursor or other indicator may move along the fixed color bar as the data stream is displayed and/or streamed so as to indicate to a health professional what part of the data stream may be currently displayed. The color content in the color bar may map out the data stream and give indication of the location of anatomical sites as well as possible locations of pathology. |
| US08144151B2 |
Spatial and temporal graphical display of verified/validated data organized as complex events
Complex events for an entity are gathered, each including an event, the event's location, and the date of the event. A map encompassing the locations of the complex events is displayed. The location of each complex event is denoted on the map, such as by an icon corresponding to the complex event type, in a color corresponding to whether the complex event was validated. For each successive pair of complex events, including a first and a second complex event, a line is drawn on the map between their locations. Timelines graphically denoting the complex events in order of their dates may be displayed, including one corresponding to those complex events that have been validated, and others that each correspond to those complex events that come from the same source. A list of the complex events may be displayed, organized in accordance with the types of the complex events. |
| US08144148B2 |
Method and system for vision-based interaction in a virtual environment
A method and system for vision-based interaction in a virtual environment is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving data from a plurality of sensors to generate a meshed volumetric three-dimensional representation of a subject. A plurality of clusters is identified within the meshed volumetric three-dimensional representation that corresponds to motion features. The motion features include hands, feet, knees, elbows, head, and shoulders. The plurality of sensors is used to track motion of the subject and manipulate the motion features of the meshed volumetric three-dimensional representation. |
| US08144141B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display which may suppress image quality deterioration and enhance image contrast is provided. The liquid crystal display includes: a light source unit including a light source having divided lighting sections and a light source control section; a liquid crystal display panel including pixels and modulating light from the light source; and a display driving section performing a polarity inversion driving based on the inputted video signal. The display driving section corrects the inputted video signal, for each of divided display regions in the liquid crystal display panel corresponding to ON-state divided lighting sections, based on a light control signal from the light source control section, so that a amplitude center potential of the driving voltage with a waveform of alternately-inverting polarity substantially agrees with the common potential. The driving voltage based on a corrected video signal is then applied to the liquid crystal element. |
| US08144135B2 |
Hand-held electronic device with multiple input mode thumbwheel
A thumbwheel input device oriented on an incline and comprising a wheel such that a first input is generated by rotation of the wheel about its axis, and a holder also having an axis of rotation and a portion thereon to receive the wheel whereby a second input is generated by rotation of the holder about the second axis. |
| US08144131B2 |
Display device with touch panel
Provided is a display device with a touch panel having the cost thereof reduced without a decrease in the transmittance ratio of light. A substrate has a planar transparent conductive film formed on an observer side thereof. The transparent conductive film is used as a transparent electrode of an electrostatic capacitance coupling type touch panel. A position detection pulsating voltage production circuit that inputs a pulsating voltage for position detection, and a coordinate position arithmetic circuit that computes a touched position on the transparent conductive film touched with an observer's finger are included. The transparent conductive film is shaped to have four corners. The position detection pulsating voltage generation circuit applies the position detection pulsating voltage to each of the four corners of the transparent conductive film at different timings. When the position detection pulsating voltage is applied to one of the four corners of the transparent conductive film, the coordinate position arithmetic circuit computes the touched position on the transparent conductive film, which is touched with the observer's finger, on the basis of a voltage outputted through the corner diagonally opposite to the corner to which the pulsating voltage is applied. |
| US08144126B2 |
Reducing sleep current in a capacitance sensing system
An apparatus and method for reducing power consumption of capacitance sensing device in a reduce power mode. In one embodiment, the method includes individually measuring a capacitance on each of a plurality of sensor elements of a device, coupling a group of sensor elements of the plurality of sensor elements together when a presence of a conductive object is not detected on the plurality of sensor elements while individually measuring the capacitance on each of the plurality of sensor elements, and collectively measuring a capacitance on the group of sensor elements. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a processing device, and a plurality of sensor elements that are individually coupled in a first mode and collectively coupled in a second mode. |
| US08144122B2 |
Human interface input acceleration system
A method and system for transmitting data to and from a hand-held host device are disclosed. An accessory device for interfacing with a host device includes a communication channel designed to establish a bidirectional data link between the accessory device and the host device. The accessory device also includes a storage unit communicatively coupled to the communication channel. The storage unit is designed to store various data. In addition, at least a first data is selectively transmitted from the stored data of the accessory device to the host device through the established bidirectional data link. |
| US08144115B2 |
Flat panel display screen operable for touch position determination system and methods
A system and method are disclosed that determines the location of an object touching a display screen. The system and method modifies already existing display technology, including using the underlying structure of many types of existing displays as the touch detecting structure. The systems and methods are applicable to virtually all LCD and LCD-like displays, including emissive displays (OLED, PLED, quantum dot displays, etc.), electronic paper, and others. |
| US08144114B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate, first and second pixel groups, a first gate line group comprising first gate lines connected to the pixels of the first pixel group, a second gate line group comprising second gate lines connected to the pixels of the second pixel group, a first data line group connected to the pixels of the first pixel group and comprising first data lines extending in a second direction, and a second data line group connected to the pixels of the second pixel group and comprising second data lines extending in the second direction. Each data line of the first data line group and each data line of the second data line group are connected to each other, and the first and second pixel groups are adjacent in the first direction. |
| US08144105B2 |
LCD with adaptive overdrive
A LCD device includes a LCD module, a thermal sensor, an operating device and a frame memory. The operating device includes first and second comparators, one-dimensional first to fourth lookup tables and an operator. The LCD device further includes a selector/data-generator which differentially generates an overdrive output and a prediction output according to outputs of the first comparator, the second comparator and the operator, depending on one of four conditions including a first condition that a start level and an end level are consistent; a second condition that a level of the output of the operator is greater than a predefined maximum; a third condition that the level is less than a predefined minimum; and a fourth condition that the level lies between the predefined maximum and the predefined minimum. |
| US08144104B2 |
Electro-optical device
A scanning line driving circuit includes: each stage shifts and outputs in sequence a start pulse; and logic circuits provided corresponding to the scanning lines and operating to determine the logical product of a signal outputted from the shift register of the stage corresponding to the scanning line and an enable signal supplied differently every group, the enable signal corresponding to the group becomes, in a horizontal scanning period in which the image data writing is carried out for the scanning lines belonging to the group, an active level in a horizontal effective scanning period and an inactive level in a horizontal return line period; and in a horizontal scanning period in which the image data writing is not carried out for the scanning lines belonging to the group, an inactive level in the horizontal effective scanning period and an active level in the horizontal return line period. |
| US08144099B2 |
OCB-mode liquid crystal display apparatus with initial transition of OCB liquid crystal
There is provided an liquid crystal display apparatus configured to invert a pixel voltage and a common voltage on a frame to frame basis while setting a transition voltage Vt in such a manner that the polarity of the pixel voltage to be applied to a pixel electrode of each display pixel and the polarity of the common voltage to be applied to a common electrode of a common substrate are differentiated. |
| US08144098B2 |
Dot-matrix display refresh charging/discharging control method and system
A dot-matrix display data refresh charging/discharging control method and system is proposed, which is designed for integration to a dot-matrix display device for providing a data refresh charging/discharging control mechanism on the dot-matrix display device. The proposed method and system is characterized by the capability of prior to a data refresh action on each pixel, switching the pixel for connection to a voltage-neutralizing point for the purpose of neutralizing the current data voltage charge on the pixel to substantially approach zero voltage level; and subsequently during the data refresh action, charging a new data voltage into the pixel. This feature allows the operation of the dot-matrix display device to have faster speed and low power consumption. |
| US08144095B2 |
Image display device, display panel and method of driving image display device
An image display device applies a higher voltage than the original voltage to the pixel, without causing deterioration of the display quality. The image display device includes a plurality of pixels each including a main capacitive element as a display element performing display operation in accordance with image data supplied to one end thereof. An auxiliary capacitive element has one end connected to the one end of the main capacitive element. A drive circuit drives each of the pixels, while supplying an additional potential to the other end of the auxiliary capacitive element in each of the pixels. The additional potential is individually determined so that a voltage between both ends of the main capacitive element rises higher than an original voltage. |
| US08144092B2 |
Apparatus and method of processing signals
An apparatus of processing a signal is provided, which includes: a frame memory storing data for two frames; and a signal processing unit writing data for two rows into the frame memory or reading data for two rows from the frame memory during input of data for one row. |
| US08144087B2 |
Color LED driver
Disclosed herein is a color LED driver, which is capable of being implemented by a compact structure without a feedback structure and accompanying a small size and low cost, by directly connecting a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor to a driving current path of a color LED applied to an LCD backlight to compensate a characteristic variation of the LED due to a variation in a temperature. The color LED driver includes a driving constant voltage source 100 which supplies a predetermined driving constant voltage VD; a driving circuit 200 which converts the driving constant voltage VD of the driving constant voltage source 100 into a plurality of driving currents, for driving color LEDs, the plurality of driving currents including red LED driving current Ird, green LED driving current Igd and blue LED driving current Ibd; a temperature compensation unit 300 which compensates variations in the red LED driving current Ird and the green LED driving current Igd due to a variation in a temperature, among the plurality of driving currents from the driving circuit 200; and an LED unit 400 including a plurality of color LEDs which are turned on by the driving currents from the temperature compensation circuit 300 and the driving current from the driving circuit 200. |
| US08144086B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device having a pixel unit including a plurality of scan lines, data lines and pixel power lines arranged in a matrix type and forming respective sub pixels in an intersection region of the plurality of scan lines, data lines and pixel power lines; a thin film transistor including a pad unit receiving signals to drive driving the respective sub pixels, a scan driver and a data driver supplying the signals to the plurality of scan lines and data lines through the pad unit, and non-pixel unit formed with a power supply line supplying power to the pixel powers line, the sub-pixel including an oxide semiconductor layer; a capacitor having a lower electrode and an upper electrode formed of a transparent conductive material; and an organic light emitting element electrically coupled to the thin transistor and disposed on the capacitor. |
| US08144083B2 |
Light-emitting device, method for driving the same driving circuit and electronic apparatus
A method for driving a light-emitting device in which a plurality of pixel circuits are arranged in correspondence with the intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality data lines, the pixel circuit having a light-emitting element and a driving transistor that controls the current amount of a driving current flowing the light-emitting device, comprises repeating the process within unit period including a first period and a second period following the first period, wherein the second period process includes selecting one scanning line of the plurality of scanning lines, and supplying and holding a data voltage corresponding to the luminance of the light-emitting element to a gate of the driving transistor via the data lines with respect to the plurality pixel circuits connected the selected scanning lines, and wherein the first period process includes selecting two or more scanning lines of the plurality of scanning lines, and correcting the unbalance of the driving current output from the driving transistor in the plurality of pixel circuits connected to the selected scanning lines. |
| US08144082B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving plasma display panel
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for driving a plasma display panel that can be driven at a low voltage and prevent undesired discharge from being generated under high temperature environment. |
| US08144079B2 |
Multiple-viewer multiple-view display and display controller
Techniques are disclosed for reducing the visibility of crosstalk between images in a multiple view display for simultaneously displaying two or more images independently of each other for viewing in different directions by different viewers. A multiple view display typically comprises a liquid crystal panel (20) and a parallax barrier (21) forming a dual view display for two viewers. The panel (20) comprises an array of pixels of elongate shape and arranged so as to be elongate in the horizontal direction of the normal image orientation on the panel (20). Crosstalk compensation may be provided in a display controller for the display. |
| US08144078B2 |
Enhanced brightness, color and contrast control for cathode ray tube monitor
A method and apparatus for controlling brightness, color and contrast in CRT monitors used in information handling systems. In accordance with the present invention, a viewing area on a CRT monitor is enhanced by applying appropriate signals directly to the grids in the CRT. In one embodiment of the present invention, appropriate voltage signals are applied to the G1 grid of the CRT. Parameter data is provided to the CRT using a DDC2/CI data channel, with the parameter data being based on the VESA MCCS command set. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to achieve significantly greater brightness, color and contrast control in enhanced viewing areas displayed on a CRT monitor used in an information handling system. |
| US08144077B2 |
Visual display structure with fade resistant surface finish
Methods and apparatuses for a visual display structure having a fade resistant surface finish. The visual display structure is three-dimensional and may be used to recreate a naturally occurring structure, such as rocks, coral or vegetation. The visual display structure may also be used to produce a scenic element, such as an underwater castle, sunken ship or ruins. The visual display structure is created by providing a base, a binder over the base, and crushed glass particles to the binder. The crushed glass particles may be selected from a plurality of colors and are arranged so as to imitate the naturally occurring structure and its surface features. Once the crushed glass particles are applied to the base, thereby assuming the shape of the base, the visual display structure is ready for use. The visual display structure may be exposed in part to an underwater environment as, for example, a component in a theme park attraction. |
| US08144071B2 |
Antenna device and portable radio communication device comprising such an antenna device
A quad-band antenna device (10) for a portable radio communication device comprises two radiating elements (12, 14) of different lengths and two common conductors (18, 20) of different lengths. One of the common conductors can be selectively connected in and out with respect to radio frequency signals in order to adjust the total electrical length of the antenna device, thereby making it operable in four different frequency bands. |
| US08144065B2 |
Planar compound loop antenna
The present invention relates to planar compound field antennas. Improvements relate particularly, but not exclusively, to compound loop antennas having coplanar electric field radiators and magnetic loops with electric fields orthogonal to magnetic fields that achieve performance benefits in higher bandwidth (lower Q), greater radiation intensity/power/gain, and greater efficiency. |
| US08144064B2 |
Physically small tunable narrow band antenna
A narrow band, tunable antenna uses a series of small inductors wired in series to produce different resonant frequencies from a single antenna across a wide frequency spectrum. Radio Frequency (RF) switches are positioned in parallel with the inductors and are capable of shunting a selected inductor out of the antenna circuit thereby changing the electrical length of the antenna and consequently, the resonant frequency. The RF switch control circuitry is isolated from the RF current in the antenna. |
| US08144061B2 |
Antenna and communication device having same
An antenna device, including a radiating element having a feed portion and a floating conduction member, which is provided between the radiating element and a conduction board having a high-frequency signal source which generates high-frequency signals for supplying to the feed portion, and which is electrically floated. |
| US08144060B2 |
Multiple feedpoint antenna
An antenna unit includes one or more antenna circuits coupled to one or more antenna structures. Each antenna structure includes a first feed point and a second feed point to receive signals from a transceiver unit or transmit signals to the transceiver unit. The first feed point of each antenna structure is configured to maximize coupling into an associated antenna structure at a first frequency band and the second feed point of each antenna structure is configured to maximize coupling into an associated antenna structure at a second frequency band. Each antenna structure has a slot that separates each antenna structure into a first patch associated with the first feed point and the first frequency band and a second patch associated with the second feed point and the second frequency band. Each antenna circuit is operatively coupled to the transceiver unit without an intervening multiplexing functionality or circuitry. |
| US08144057B1 |
Methods and apparatus for adaptively determining angles of arrival of signals
A technique for determining the angles of arrival of signals incident on an antenna array from directions within an angular region of interest involves supplying outputs of antenna elements of the antenna array to a number of different weight generators. Each of the weight generators produces a set of beam-forming weights that maximizes a signal-to-interference ratio of a locally generated signal corresponding to a look angle that is outside the region of interest, with signals at different look angles being supplied to the different weight generators. An annihilation operator is determined from the sets of beam-forming weights generated by the weight generators and from beam-forming vectors representing the look angles of the locally generated signals used in the weight generators. The annihilation operator is applied to a group of beam-forming vectors representing angles within the region of interest to determine angles of arrival of signals within the region of interest. |
| US08144053B2 |
System and method for verifying consistent measurements in performing GPS positioning
Systems and methods are provided for verifying whether a set of satellite signals may be used to calculate an estimated position. Example systems and methods may include a GPS receiver for receiving the satellite signals and a measurement consistency verifier to analyze a geometric configuration of the satellites from which the satellite signals were acquired. The measurement consistency verifier may determine if the satellites are sufficiently close to one another to provide consistent measurements. |
| US08144047B2 |
Current-mode dual-slope temperature-digital conversion device
A current mode dual-slope temperature-to-digital conversion device is disclosed. The conversion device comprises a temperature dependent current source and a reference current source. Firstly, a capacitor is charged by the temperature dependent current source. Next, the capacitor is discharged by the reference current source. The capacitor is coupled to at least one trigger, and the trigger sends out a first digital signal to a logic controller by the voltage of the capacitor. Then, the logic controller sends out a second digital signal to a time-to-digital converter according to the first digital signal. When the capacitor is discharged by the reference current source and before the first digital signal is varied, the converter receives the second digital signal and a clock signal to generate a corresponding digital output value. The present invention achieves the requirement of the high linearity resolution with the dual-slope architecture lest the curvature effect resulted from the time-domain circuit be occurred. |
| US08144038B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, signal processing system and signal processing method
A signal processing apparatus is provided, which generates a data signal having a signal waveform corresponding to a first bit value of a signal waveform transitioning from a high level to a low level or a signal waveform transitioning from a low level to a high level, a pre-transition signal level corresponding to a second bit value of one of a plurality of high levels and a plurality of low levels, and a post-transition signal level corresponding to a third bit value of the other. |
| US08144036B2 |
Switch system
The embodiments described herein include a switch system having a frame. The frame may have at least one feedback device is attached thereto. The feedback device provides a discernable feedback upon the receipt of a control signal. Additionally, at least one switch is connected to the frame wherein the switch causes the generation of the control signal when engaged. |
| US08144032B2 |
Method of checking the quality of traffic disturbance reporting processes
A method of checking the quality of traffic disturbance reporting processes records a total number of traffic disturbance reports generated by a traffic disturbance reporting process, which traffic disturbance reports each relate to at least one defined reporting time period and at least one defined reporting route segment, over a predefined analyzing time period and a predefined analyzing range. A number of reported conditions is formed from the total number of traffic disturbance reports, and a first statistical frequency distribution of the reported conditions is determined. A total number of reference observations are recorded, which each relate to at least one defined observation time period and at least one defined observation route segment, within the analyzing time period and within the analyzing range. A number of actual conditions is formed from the total number of reference observations and a second statistical frequency distribution of the actual conditions is determined. The second statistical frequency distribution is compared with the first statistical frequency distribution, and a quality indicator for the traffic disturbance reporting process is derived from the result of the comparison. |
| US08144030B1 |
Personal signal device with automatic switching based on orientation
A personal signal device for automatically displaying one of a plurality of patterns automatically based on the orientation of the device, such as is useful in the direction of vehicular traffic, is described. The device typically comprises a plurality of lights, often high intensity LEDs, an orientation sensor and a controller that illuminates a portion of the LEDs depending upon the orientation information provided by the sensor. The device can be adapted to couple to a user's arm or hand such as being coupled with a glove. |
| US08144028B2 |
Method and system of obtaining data from field devices
Systems and methods for communicating data from field devices to data acquisition systems. In at least some exemplary embodiments, a remote process or field controller may obtain data, and send the data to a data cache only if the data has changed from previously sent data. The data acquisition system may poll the data cache for data. Having the remote process controller send only data that has changed allows the communication channel between the data caching system and the remote process controller to have a bandwidth or throughput lower than what may be needed to support the polling of the data acquisition system. |
| US08144023B2 |
Tire inflation pressure detecting apparatus capable of triggering only selected transceiver to perform task
A transceiver includes a receiver, a signal strength determiner, and a controller. The receiver receives a trigger signal transmitted by a triggering device; the trigger signal indicates both a signal strength range and a command. The signal strength determiner determines the strength of the trigger signal received by the receiver. The controller is configured to: 1) determine whether the strength of the trigger signal determined by the signal strength determiner is within the signal strength range indicated by the trigger signal; 2) and perform a task in accordance with the command indicated by the trigger signal only when the strength of the trigger signal is within the signal strength range. |
| US08144022B2 |
Heat sensitive sensor for flexible waveguides
An apparatus designed to alert on an abnormal condition inside of a fiber bundle (116). The apparatus includes an air pipe (112) configured inside of the fiber bundle, an air compression element adapted to apply air into the air pipe, at least one sensor (124, 128, 132, 136, 148) configured in combination with the air pipe wherein at least one sensor is coupled to at least one location on the air pipe. An alerting element (172, 308) is configured to notify on an abnormal measurements of at least one sensor. |
| US08144021B2 |
Device and apparatus for detecting moisture
A device for detecting the presence of bodily fluid, the device including a detector (1) means having two spaced apart electrodes (2, 3), each electrode is connected to a signal generating means via a lead (6, 7). The electrodes are encased in a flexible non-conductive material with each including at least one protruding conductive element (4). The protruding elements are separated by the same distance as the spacing between the two electrodes. The device also includes a signal processing means that detects a change of state across the electrodes produced by the introduction of a fluid and an alarm actuated by the change of state. |
| US08144018B1 |
Combination electronic article surveillance/radio frequency identification antenna and method
A combination EAS/RFID antenna for use in an EAS/RFID surveillance system. The antenna includes an EAS antenna element and an RFID antenna element. The EAS antenna element includes an EAS loop antenna defining an interior portion. The RFID antenna element includes an RFID patch antenna having a hatched conductor pattern. The RFID antenna element is situated proximate the EAS loop antenna in such a fashion that the overall size of the antenna is reduced. |
| US08144017B1 |
Transponder and method for operating a transponder
An RFID transponder having an adjustable response field strength including a determination circuit formed to determine a quantity which is derivable from a field strength of an electromagnetic field prevailing at the location of the RFID transponder, a comparator formed to compare the determined quantity derived from the field strength with a threshold value, wherein the threshold value is based on the adjustable response field strength, which is higher than the minimum field strength required for the operation of the RFID transponder, and a deactivator formed to deactivate a functionality of the RFID transponder if the derived quantity falls below the threshold value. |
| US08144016B2 |
Structure including an electronic device, in particular for fabricating a security document or a document of value
A structure for use in fabricating a security document or a document of value is provided. The structure includes an electronic device, an inset layer made at least in part out of fiber, a window within which the electronic device extends, at least in part, and an adhesive layer in contact with the inset layer. |
| US08144015B2 |
Power efficient object detection with selective polling
Detecting the absence of tagged objects near a computing device and attempting to locate the absent, tagged objects using other computing devices in a power-efficient manner. The computing device is monitored for triggering conditions. Upon occurrence of at least one of the triggering conditions, the computing device polls for the tagged objects expected to be proximate to the computing device. By polling responsive to occurrence of the triggering conditions, power consumption by the computing device is reduced. The triggering conditions include, for example, time-based transitions, movement of the computing device, or a geographic location of the computing device. Upon detecting the absence of at least one of the objects, the computing device, or a web service, identifies other computing devices to which the absent object may be proximate. The other computing devices determine whether the absent object is proximate, and notify the computing device. |
| US08144013B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device with improved reliability, in which increase in power consumption can be reduced. The semiconductor device includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to/from a communication device and at least first and second functional circuits electrically connected to the antenna. The first functional circuit includes a power supply control circuit for controlling power supply voltage output from a power supply circuit in the second functional circuit. A power supply control circuit in the second functional circuit includes a transistor of which first terminal is electrically connected to an output terminal of the power supply circuit and second terminal is electrically connected to a ground line. A gate terminal of the transistor is electrically connected to the power supply control circuit included in one functional circuit. |
| US08144008B2 |
Mobile asset tracking unit, system and method
An asset tracking unit, system, and method. The asset tracking unit, system, and method may include at least one transceiver having communicative connections with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network via at least one antenna, wherein tracking information for at least one asset associated with the at least one transceiver is received from the GPS network and is communicated to the SATCOM network, a first link that provides a multi-code one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and the at least one SATCOM network, and a second link that provides a multi-channel one of the communicative connections between the at least one transceiver and he at least one GPS network. The unit system and method may additionally include at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, wherein the asset to be tracked is geographically associated with the central processing unit. |
| US08143996B2 |
Decentralized radio frequency identification system
A decentralized RFID system and method provides a decentralized power control scheme for adaptively adjusting the power of a RFID reader in a network of readers communicating with an RFID tag. The transmission power of each reader in a dense network environment is controlled as a function of interference sensed from other readers in the network and a current SNR (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from the tag. If the current SNR is above a required SNR, transmission power of the reader is reduced, which results in lower interference for other RFID readers. Similarly, if the expected SNR is below the required threshold, power is increased sufficiently to ensure that the target or required SNR is achieved. |
| US08143995B2 |
Control of data exchange
A control device, method and system for controlling data exchange between entities and item identification devices associated with said control device; said entities having an associated data exchange means for exchanging data with item identification devices; said data exchange means being arranged to provide authentication data indicative of the entity with which they are associated; and said control device comprising means for enabling exchange of data between said item identification devices and the entity with which said data exchange means is associated in accordance with an applicable access policy for that entity. |
| US08143993B2 |
Method and circuit for recycling trimmed devices
A trimmable component network of switched parallel paths is described, each path contains a component, typically a resistor, with a portion of the component bypassed by fuses. The bypassed portion represents the same percentage of the component's value for each of the trimmable components in the parallel paths. A component is measured against a specification and if the specification is not met a prescribed number of fuses are cut to bring the component within its specification. A TRIM CODE may be used to identify the specific fuses to be cut, and thus the specific fuses that are to remain intact. The same TRIM CODE is applied to the components in the parallel paths. |
| US08143990B2 |
Micro-fluidic bubble fuse
A microfluidic bubble fuse is formed from a hermetically sealed reservoir containing an electrically conductive liquid. The reservoir is interposed between a pair of electrodes such that each electrode is in electrical contact with the fluid within the reservoir, and such that the fluid within the reservoir provides electrical interconnectivity between the electrodes. The reservoir may be implemented on a substrate, in a tube, or in another manner. When the current or voltage across the electrodes increases beyond a threshold, the excess current or voltage will cause a bubble to be created within the fluid to reduce or inhibit the flow of electricity between the electrodes. When the current/voltage is reduced, the bubble will collapse to restore the flow of electricity between the electrodes. |
| US08143989B2 |
Multilayer inductor
This disclosure provides a multilayer inductor that has a built-in coil composed of coil conductors each having a length of one turn and that can suppress the occurrence of delamination. The inductor includes plural laminated magnetic layers. Coil conductors loop along a ring-shaped path each through a length of one-turn on the magnetic layers, and include connection portions including end portions that are located on the loop and connection portions including end portions that are located inside the ring-shaped path. Lands are provided on the insulating layers so as to overlap a region as viewed in plan, and the region is surrounded by the first connection portions and the second connection portions. |
| US08143988B2 |
Multilayer inductor
This disclosure provides a multilayer inductor that includes a coil formed from coil electrodes each looping through a length of one turn and that is capable of preventing the occurrence of delamination. Each of a plurality of coil electrodes loops through a length of one turn on one of magnetic plurality of insulating layers so as to make a ring-shaped track when viewed in plan in a z-axis (stacking) direction. The coil electrodes include end portions located on the ring-shaped track and end portions located off the ring-shaped track, respectively. Additional coil electrodes are electrically connected to the plurality of coil electrodes. The additional coil electrodes include land portions, respectively, each overlapping a region surrounded by the end portions of the plurality of coil electrodes when viewed in plan in the z-axis direction. |
| US08143986B2 |
Inductor
Parasitic capacitance between upper and lower adjacent wirings of an inductor using a multilayer wiring layer in an insulating film formed on a base substrate is reduced. An inductor is characterized by having one go-around of go-around wiring (A-B or B-C) formed in each of at least two of adjacent wiring layers of a plurality of wiring layers 18 placed in an insulating film 17 on a base substrate 16, and in that one end (B) of the one go-around of go-around wiring (A-B and B-C) formed in each of the at least two of wiring layers is connected to each other at a via 2 and the one go-around of go-around wiring (A-B and B-C) formed in each of the at least two of wiring layers is placed at substantially the same position in a surface of the base substrate when viewed from an upper side of the base substrate. |
| US08143979B2 |
Electromagnetic relay for starters
Terminal-bolts and a fixed contact are formed with different kinds of metals, and fixed to a fixing hole formed in the fixed contact by press fitting one end of the terminal-bolts. A plurality of concavo-convex parts is provided on a surface of the fixed contact that faces the movable contact. A plurality of concavo-convex portions is provided on another surface of the fixed contact that faces an anti movable-contact side. The concavo-convex portions are arranged so that positions of concave parts of the concavo-convex portions match positions of convex parts of the concavo-convex portions provided in the opposite surface of the fixed contact. The concavo-convex parts are at least partly curved, and have the same height and project in a height direction from the fixed contact. |
| US08143975B2 |
Coaxial-coplanar microwave adapter
In a microwave transition from a coaxial line (1) to a coplanar line system (3), in a longitudinal hole (5) of an outer conductor housing (6), the round inner conductor (4) of the coaxial line (1) continues in a planar inner conductor in the form of a narrow piece of foil (9), of an elastically flexible insulating material and metalized on at least one side. The end of this planar inner conductor (9, 10) then narrows in a transition section (16) to the width of a coplanar middle conductor (13; 20), with coplanar earthing areas (14, 15; 21, 22) on both sides. |
| US08143974B2 |
Coplanar waveguide having trenches covered by a passivation film and fabrication method thereof
A coplanar waveguide includes a signal line formed on a major surface of a high-resistivity silicon substrate, a pair of ground conductors placed on opposite sides of the signal line, and a pair of trenches formed in the substrate between the signal line and the ground conductors. Because of the trenches, the attenuation characteristics of the coplanar waveguide are highly uniform, and are comparable to the attenuation characteristics of coplanar waveguides formed on compound semiconductor substrates. |
| US08143973B2 |
Cavity filter coupling system
The elliptical response bandpass filter according to the invention comprises a plurality N of cavities connected in series by means of in-phase coupling loops; the first cavity is in addition connected to the last by a complementary phase-inversion coupling loop in order to generate transmission zeros at determined frequencies. |
| US08143972B2 |
Resonator and filter
The present invention provides a resonator and a filter that reduce the resonator radiation loss so as to achieve a high Q value that is inherent to a low-loss material while maintaining high power handling capability. In this manner, both high power handling capability and a high Q value can be achieved at the same time. The resonator is a microstripline structure and includes a line structure formed with resonance lines in which current standing waves are generated in a resonant state in a line, and currents in each two adjacent lines flow in the opposite directions from each other, and a connection line that connects the resonance lines at the portions having in-phase voltages among the nodes of the current standing waves of the resonance lines in the resonant state. The filter includes resonators of the same type as the above resonator. |
| US08143970B2 |
Phase shifter having a varying signal path length based on the rotation of the phase shifter
Disclosed is a variable phase shifter, the variable phase shifter including: a fixed board which is fixedly provided in a housing, and consisting of a dielectric board, and consisting of a dielectric board, having a second transfer stripline having at least one arc-shaped output micro stripline on one surface; a rotating board rotatably provided within the housing while coming in contact with the one surface of the fixed board, and consisting of a dielectric board, having a second transfer stripline coupled to the arc-shaped output micro stripline on a surface where the rotating board comes in contact with the one surface of the fixed board even when the rotating board rotates; wherein both the sides of at least one output micro stripline of the fixed board are connected to an output port, and the other surface of the fixed board includes an input micro stripline, so that the other surface of the fixed board is electrically connected and receives an input signal. |
| US08143967B2 |
Impedance matching method
An impedance matching method which is used to save electrical energy by virtue of the fact that the method switches between modes for controlling impedance matching and modes for regulation of the impedance matching depending on the situation. An algorithm which, on the basis of control signals from an external circuit environment, controls or regulates the impedance of a variable-impedance circuit element is implemented in a logic circuit LC. |
| US08143959B2 |
Jitter generation apparatus, device test system using the same, and jitter generation method
A jitter generation apparatus for applying a phase modulation to a PLL is controlled by a control unit so as to output a signal with the desired jitter based on a parameters. When a switching unit is switched to a first state, the control unit controls first and second level control units so that the desired jitter in which an amplitude of a first modulation signal matches the parameter is added to an output signal from a voltage controlled oscillator unit, and passes through a quadrature modulator. When the switching unit is switched to the second state, the control unit controls the first and second level control units so that a quadrature modulation is applied to a local signal, which is input to the quadrature modulator without adding any jitter to an output signal from the voltage controlled oscillator unit, and a quadrature-modulated local signal is output. |
| US08143958B2 |
Systems and methods for self testing a voltage controlled oscillator in an open loop configuration
Methods and apparatus for self testing a multiband voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) are disclosed. A tuning voltage of the VCO is adjusted where the output of the VCO does not affect the input to the VCO. Frequency bands in the VCO are selected. Output frequencies of the VCO are measured. |
| US08143957B2 |
Current-mode gain-splitting dual-path VCO
Techniques to effectively handle large voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) gain are described. The techniques utilize (1) a slow high-gain path to provide an average control current that adjusts the center frequency of a VCO and (2) a fast low-gain path to provide an instantaneous control current that adjusts the VCO frequency during normal operation. In one design, the VCO includes a voltage-to-current converter, a current amplifier, a summer, and a current-controlled oscillator (ICO). The voltage-to-current converter receives a control voltage and generates a first current and a second current. The current amplifier amplifies and filters the first current and generates a third current. The summer sums the second current and the third current and generates a control current. The ICO receives the control current and generates an oscillator signal having a frequency determined by the control current. |
| US08143955B2 |
Oscillator circuit for radio frequency transceivers
Oscillator circuit for radio frequency transceivers. An oscillator circuit includes a first oscillator that generates a signal having a first frequency and a second oscillator that generates a signal having a second frequency. The oscillator circuit includes a mixer that is responsive to the signal having the first frequency and the signal having the second frequency to provide a signal having a third frequency and one or more frequency components. The oscillator circuit includes a filter that is responsive to the signal from the mixer to attenuate the one or more frequency components and provide a signal having a desired frequency. The oscillator circuit includes a correction circuit to correct a drift in at least one of the first frequency and the second frequency by controlling the second frequency, thereby correcting the drift in the third frequency and the desired frequency. |
| US08143954B2 |
Oscillation device with auxiliary oscillating means
A device can be coupled to an electrical load for supplying electrical power to the electrical load. The device contains an oscillator unit and an auxiliary oscillator unit. The oscillator unit is configured to generate an output signal of the device which can be supplied to the electrical load and which has a first frequency. The auxiliary oscillator unit is electrically coupled to the oscillator unit. The auxiliary oscillator unit is configured to excite the oscillator unit to oscillate at a second frequency greater than the first frequency. The auxiliary oscillator unit contains a timing element which is configured and arranged to terminate the excitation of the oscillator unit after the expiration of a pre-specified period of time after the start of the oscillator unit and the auxiliary oscillator unit. |
| US08143952B2 |
Three dimensional inductor and transformer
A three dimensional on-chip inductor, transformer and radio frequency amplifier are disclosed. The radio frequency amplifier includes a pair of transformers and a transistor. The transformers include at least two inductively coupled inductors. The inductors include a plurality of segments of a first metal layer, a plurality of segments of a second metal layer, a first inductor input, a second inductor input, and a plurality of through silicon vias coupling the plurality of segments of the first metal layer and the plurality of segments of the second metal layer to form a continuous, non-intersecting path between the first inductor input and the second inductor input. The inductors can have a symmetric or asymmetric geometry. The first metal layer can be a metal layer in the back-end-of-line section of the chip. The second metal layer can be located in the redistributed design layer of the chip. |
| US08143945B2 |
Switched mode amplifier
A switched mode amplifier includes a voltage source, a switched amplifier, a controller and a feedback unit. The switched amplifier sources or sinks a current to or from a load. The load and the current define a voltage over the load. The controller generates control signals for the switched amplifier in response to an input signal and a feedback signal. The feedback unit is connected to the controller and the load, and generates the feedback signal from the voltage over the load. |
| US08143943B2 |
System and a method for signal processing
A system for processing an input signal, the system includes: a hardware memory module configured to store a lookup table; and a signal processing module, configured to process the input signal to provide a second signal, and to transmit the second signal to a power amplifier that is characterized by non-linearity and which is adapted to amplify the second signal to provide an amplified signal; wherein the signal processing module is configured to process the input signal in response to at least one filtering parameter to provide the second signal so as to at least partly compensate for the non-linearity of the amplifier; wherein the at least one filtering parameter is retrieved from the lookup table using a first, a second, and a third lookup table indexes, wherein the first index is responsive to a magnitude of the input signal at a first moment, the second index is responsive to a magnitude of the input signal at a second moment, and the third index is responsive to phases of the input signal at the first and the second moments; wherein the system includes a delay circuit for delaying the input signal before the input signal is provided to the signal processing module. |
| US08143940B2 |
Internal supply voltage generating circuit and method for generating internal supply voltage
An internal supply voltage generating circuit includes a clock comparator configured to compare a first clock signal having clock information corresponding to a level of a reference voltage with a second clock signal having clock information corresponding to a level of an internal supply voltage, a control signal generator configured to generate a driving control voltage having a voltage level corresponding to an output signal of the clock comparator; and a driver configured to drive a terminal of the internal supply voltage in response to the driving control voltage. |
| US08143938B2 |
Boost circuit and liquid crystal display device using boost circuit
A charge pump circuit has boost capacitors and a charge switch supplying supply voltage to the boost capacitors, and a step-up ratio thereof is variable by switching a connection relationship of the boost capacitors. A control circuit unit controls switching of the step-up ratio and selects first operation or second operation depending on a sum-based voltage corresponding to a sum of the supply voltage and a under-charge boost capacitor voltage. The first operation is to turn ON/OFF the charge switch in synchronization with a boost clock signal, while the second operation is to turn OFF it irrespective of the boost clock signal. A value of the sum-based voltage with which the first and second operations are switched is a reference value. When switching the step-up ratio from a first ratio to a second ratio lower than the first ratio, the control circuit unit switches the reference value from a first value corresponding to the first ratio to a second value corresponding to the second ratio, and then switches the connection relationship. |
| US08143936B2 |
Application of control signal and forward body-bias signal to an active device
The present disclosure relates to constructing and operating a transistor or other active device with significantly reduced flicker noise. |
| US08143935B2 |
Circuit and method for controlling charge injection in radio frequency switches
A circuit and method for controlling charge injection in a circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the circuit and method are employed in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) Radio Frequency (RF) switch. In one embodiment, an SOI RF switch comprises a plurality of switching transistors coupled in series, referred to as “stacked” transistors, and implemented as a monolithic integrated circuit on an SOI substrate. Charge injection control elements are coupled to receive injected charge from resistively-isolated nodes located between the switching transistors, and to convey the injected charge to at least one node that is not resistively-isolated. In one embodiment, the charge injection control elements comprise resistors. In another embodiment, the charge injection control elements comprise transistors. A method for controlling charge injection in a switch circuit is disclosed whereby injected charge is generated at resistively-isolated nodes between series coupled switching transistors, and the injected charge is conveyed to at least one node of the switch circuit that is not resistively-isolated. |
| US08143934B1 |
Analog switching system for low cross-talk
A system includes a voltage pump to generate a first pump voltage from an analog voltage signal. The system further includes switching pad to receive an analog signal from an external source and route the analog signal to analog processing circuitry over one or more analog signal busses based on the first pump voltage and the analog voltage signal. |
| US08143933B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a mixer circuit unit having a first single gate mixer configured to receive a first input signal having a first frequency and a second input signal having a second frequency as inputs, a second single gate mixer configured to receive the first input signal and a third input signal of a phase inverted from a phase of the second input signal as inputs, a third single gate mixer configured to receive a fourth input signal of a phase inverted from the phase of the first input signal and the second input signal as inputs, and a fourth single gate mixer configured to receive the third and the fourth input signals as inputs; and a ½-frequency divider unit configured to receive output signals from the first to the fourth single gate mixers as inputs and output a desired signal. |
| US08143932B2 |
Grid clock distribution network reducing clock skew and method for reducing the same
A clock distribution network includes a plurality of clock drivers for outputting clock signals. At least one of the plurality of clock drivers has a driving capacity that is not equal to a driving capacity of at least another one of the plurality of clock drivers. The distribution network also includes a grid distribution network for distributing the clock signals output from the plurality of clock drivers. |
| US08143931B2 |
Flag signal generation circuit and semiconductor device having the same
A flag signal generation circuit includes a first periodic signal detection unit, a second periodic signal detection unit, and a flag signal output unit. The first periodic signal detection unit is configured to detect a change in a level of a first periodic signal and generate a first detection signal. The second periodic signal detection unit is configured to detect a change in a level of a second periodic signal and generate a second detection signal. The flag signal output unit is configured to generate a pre-flag signal from the first and second detection signals, buffer the pre-flag signal in response to a mode register read signal, and output the buffered pre-flag signal as a flag signal. |
| US08143927B2 |
Pulse control device
A pulse control device is maintained with a constant pulse width corresponding to a change of process or temperature. The pulse control device comprises a fuse set for selectively outputting a delay increase signal and a delay decrease signal that have a different state based on a cutting or non-cutting state of a fuse on which information on a change of process is programmed, and a pulse generator provided with a plurality of delay cells with predetermined time delay for selectively increasing or decreasing the number of the plurality of delay cells depending on the delay increase signal and the delay decrease signal to generate an internal clock with a pulse width corresponding to the number of the increased or decreased delay cells. |
| US08143926B2 |
Data signal generating apparatus
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data signal generating apparatus which is small in size, and can output the serial data in a desired sequence without assuming an indefinite state as well as being capable of dealing with the jitter measurement. In the data signal generating apparatus according to the present invention, synchronization means 25 for synchronizing a data output unit 11 with a multiplexer 13 has a phase comparator 16 for comparing the phase of a data synchronization clock signal outputted from a data output unit 11 in synchronization with the timing to update parallel data, with the phase of a divided clock signal A produced by dividing the frequency of a reference clock signal CK1 by a plural number “m” in the multiplexer 13, the signal A being used for determining the timing to performing parallel-serial conversion, a variable delay device 30 for adding a desired delay to a data request signal A′, the variable delay device 30 being constituted by an orthogonal modulation type delay device, and a control unit 26 for controlling a direct control signal to be inputted into the variable delay device 30 on the basis of a comparing result obtained from the phase comparator 16 to synchronize the timing to have the data output unit 11 update the parallel data with the timing to have the multiplexer 13 perform parallel-serial conversion processing. |
| US08143925B2 |
Delay locked loop
A delay locked loop includes a replica delay oscillator unit, a division unit, a pulse generation unit, a code value output unit, and a delay line. The replica delay oscillator unit generates a replica oscillation signal having a period corresponding to a replica delay. The division unit receives the replica oscillation signal and a clock signal and divides the replica oscillation signal and the clock signal at a first or second ratio in response to a delay locking detection signal. The pulse generation unit generates a delay pulse having a pulse width corresponding to a delay amount for causing a delay locking. The code value output unit adjusts a code value corresponding to the pulse width of the delay pulse in response to the delay locking detection signal. The delay line delays the clock signal in response to the code value. |
| US08143923B2 |
Circuit and method for determining a current
A power supply circuit having a converter circuit and method for determining a current flowing into the converter circuit. A converter circuit includes an amplifier and a current-to-current converter module. The amplifier has a current sensing element coupled between its inverting and noninverting input terminals. The amplifier generates a sensing signal from a charging current flowing through the current sensing element. The sensing signal is input into the current-to-current converter module, which scales the charging current and modulates the scaled charging current. The current-to-current converter module converts the modulated current to a charging voltage that is representative of the charging current. The charging current is converted to a current that is representative of the input current to converter circuit. The input current to the converter circuit is added to an auxiliary load current to yield the current of the power supply circuit. |
| US08143919B2 |
Semiconductor device and a display device
The invention provides a low cost and high performance functional circuit by reducing time required for the repetition of logic synthesis and routing of layout in a functional circuit design. A standard cell used for the logic synthesis and the routing of layout is configured by a logic circuit on an output side and a logic circuit on an input side and a driving capacity of the logic circuit on the output side is made large while gate input capacitance of the logic circuit on the input side is made small. By forming the standard cell in this manner, a ratio that the gate delay occupies in the delay time of a functional circuit can be relatively increased. Therefore, even when wiring capacitance after the routing of layout is not estimated at high precision in advance, an operating frequency can be obtained at high precision in the logic synthesis as long as a gate delay of each standard cell can be estimated at high precision. That is, a reliability of the logic synthesis result is improved, therefore, the logic synthesis and an automatic routing of layout are not required to be repeated, which can shorten the design period. |
| US08143916B2 |
Level shift circuit, method for driving the same, and semiconductor circuit device having the same
A level shift circuit includes a level shift section for receiving a low potential signal oscillating between a high potential and a ground potential and converting it into a high potential signal oscillating between the high potential and the ground potential, the level shift section being connected to at least a high potential power supply for generating the high potential, a low potential power supply for generating the low potential, and a ground power supply for generating the ground potential, an inverter section for inverting-amplifying the high potential signal from the level shift section, and an N-type MOS transistor for supplying the ground potential to the inverter section, the N-type MOS transistor being connected in series to the inverter section between the high potential power supply and the ground power supply and having its gate electrode connected to the low potential power supply. |
| US08143911B2 |
Input/output driver swing control and supply noise rejection
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus having an averager to receive differential output voltages of a transmitter and generate an average transmitter output voltage. A comparator is to compare the average transmitter output voltage to a reference voltage and generate a difference therebetween. An integrator is to integrate the difference between the average transmitter output voltage and the reference voltage over time. The integrated difference is fed back to the transmitter to bias the transmitter. |
| US08143907B2 |
Capacitive occupant sensor
A capacitive occupant sensor includes a sensor mat having U-parts arranged in a first direction and, a second direction perpendicular to each other. The U-parts located adjacent to each other are connected in the second direction so as to define S-parts, in a manner that openings of the U-parts alternately open toward a first side of the first direction or a second side of the first direction. The S-parts located adjacent to each other are combined in the first direction, in a manner that the opening open toward the first side and the opening open toward the second side oppose to each other in the first direction. The mat has a meandering structure defined by the S-parts. |
| US08143906B2 |
Temperature and pressure transducer
Methods for making and systems employing pressure and temperature sensors are described. Embodiments include a capacitive element including a first conductor plate and a second conductor plate. Each plate includes a conductor layer formed on a substrate. In a pressure sensor embodiment, seal is positioned at or near the edges of the conductor plates, and a gas retained in a gap defined between the plates. In a temperature sensor embodiment, the gap defined between the plates is in fluid communication with the external environment. |
| US08143903B2 |
Resonance scanning system and method for testing equipment for electromagnetic resonances
A resonance scanning system and method for testing equipment for electromagnetic resonances uses a resonance detection subsystem with at least one probe to identify at least one of a resonating location, a resonating frequency and a quality factor of a resonance of the equipment and an automatic scanning subsystem to displace the probe to different testing locations of the equipment so that the resonance detection subsystem can determine if any of the different testing locations of the equipment exhibits electromagnetic resonances. |
| US08143895B2 |
Coil node voltage outputs for superconducting magnets
In a superconducting magnet assembly a plurality of superconducting coils, joined in series, are housed within a cryostat. A coil node between two electrically adjacent of the superconducting coils provides an input voltage. A coil node voltage output is provided comprising a series resistor connected between the coil node and a further node. A non-linear element is connected between the further node and a ground voltage, and an output connector is electrically connected to the further node and traverses a boundary of the cryostat. |
| US08143890B2 |
Spectral resolution enhancement of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
A method and apparatus for enhancing the spectral resolution of magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) measurements include receiving time domain echo data from an MRS measurement for an MRS volume in a subject. Also received are high spatial resolution complex signal values within the MRS volume based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements. Frequency-domain content is determined for the echo data based at least in part on the complex signal values. For example, in some embodiments, receiving complex signal values includes receiving high spatial resolution complex signal values within the MRS volume for each of two different echo time settings. The frequency-domain content of the echo data is corrected for a lineshape profile based on high resolution frequency dispersion values for the MRS volume determined from differences in the complex signal values for the two different echo time settings. |
| US08143882B2 |
Current measuring apparatus
A current measuring apparatus is disclosed. The current measuring apparatus comprises a power supply unit, an impedance setting module, and a current measuring unit. The power supply unit is adapted to provide an electric power to an electronic apparatus. The impedance setting module is adapted to provide at least one impedance value to the electronic apparatus so that the electronic apparatus is able to be activated in response to the electric power and the impedance value. The current measuring unit is adapted to show a current consumption value of the electronic apparatus under the activated state. |
| US08143879B2 |
Meter phase identification
A multi-phase electrical power distribution network includes a substation; a signal generator for providing a different signal on each of a plurality of phases leaving the substation; and a signal discriminator for detecting each of the different signals at a consumer of the electrical power. |
| US08143877B2 |
Semiconductor circuits capable of mitigating unwanted effects caused by input signal variations
Semiconductor circuit capable of mitigating unwanted effects caused by variations in a received input signal are provided, in which a main circuit receives an input signal and comprises a first current source coupled between a first node and a first power voltage to generate a first current according to a first bias voltage. A replica circuit is coupled to the main circuit to duplicate a variation in a voltage at the first node caused by a variation in the input signal and dynamically adjusts the first bias voltage according to the duplicated variation such that the first current is maintained at a constant. |
| US08143874B2 |
Switch-mode power supply (SMPS) controller integrated circuit determining operating characteristics from filter component information
A switch-mode power supply (SMPS) controller integrated circuit (IC) provides ease of integration and SMPS designs. Value and/or types of components external to the controller IC that affect the SMPS control loop response are provided to the IC and an internal conversion block determines coefficients for a digital compensator in conformity with the provided value/type information. The conversion block may be a look-up table, processor or dedicated logic, and the component value/type information may be provided via terminals of the controller IC via logic state, attached resistance/capacitance or from external storage. Alternatively, the component values may be programmed into non-volatile storage within the controller IC. |
| US08143872B2 |
Power regulator
A power regulator for converting an input voltage to an output voltage includes a pass device, a reference signal circuit and an error amplifier. The pass device receives the input voltage and provides the output voltage at an output terminal of the power regulator. The reference signal circuit coupled to the output terminal is powered by the output voltage to provide a reference signal. The error amplifier coupled to the pass device is powered by the output voltage to compare the reference signal with a feedback signal indicative of the output voltage. The error amplifier can generate a control signal according to a result of the comparison to drive the pass device. |
| US08143870B2 |
Methods and apparatus for current sensing
Methods and apparatus for current sensing according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a current sensor adapted to sense the current provided to a load via a transistor. In one embodiment, a power supply includes the current sensor, and supplies the current through a series combination of an inductor and the transistor. The current sensor is adapted to generate the inductor current signal according to a sensed current in the inductor, and may comprise a series combination of a first resistor and a second resistor. The resistive series combination is adapted to be connected in parallel to the series combination of the inductor and the transistor. |
| US08143869B2 |
Voltage reference circuit with fast enable and disable capabilities
A circuit for providing an output voltage substantially equal to a reference voltage includes: a low drop-out (LDO) regulator coupled to the reference voltage for producing the output voltage at an output terminal; a reference current source having a first end and a second end for providing a predetermined reference current; a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to a first supply voltage, a second terminal, and a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor; a first switch for selectively coupling the second terminal of the first transistor to the first end of the reference current source according to a first control signal; and a second transistor having a first terminal coupled to the first supply voltage, a control terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor, and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal. |
| US08143865B2 |
Average current mode controlled converter having a buck mode, a boost mode, and a partial four-switch mode
An average current-mode controlled converter has a buck mode, a boost mode, and a four-switch mode. In one example, the converter operates in one of the three modes, depending on the difference between the converter output voltage VOUT and the converter input voltage VIN. Whether the four-switch mode is a full-time four-switch mode or a partial four-switch mode is user programmable. The novel converter can also be programmed to operate in other ways. For example, the converter can be programmed so that there is no intervening four-switch mode, but rather the converter operates either in a buck or a boost mode depending on VOUT-VIN. The converter can also be programmed so that the converter always operates in a conventional full-time four-switch mode. In one embodiment, the converter is programmed by setting an offset between two internally generated ramp signals and by setting associated limiting and inverting circuits. |
| US08143863B2 |
Circuits and methods for controlling a current flowing through a battery
A circuit for controlling a current flowing through a battery includes a driver and a filter coupled to the driver. The driver can generate a pulse signal in a first operating mode and generate a first signal in a second operating mode to control the current through the battery. The filter can filter the pulse signal to provide a filtered DC signal to adjust an on-resistance of a switch in series with the battery based on a duty cycle of the pulse signal in the first operating mode. The filter can receive the first signal and provide a second signal to drive the switch in a linear region in the second operating mode. |
| US08143862B2 |
Circuits and methods for battery charging
A circuit for charging a battery pack includes a power converter and a charger controller. The power converter is operable for receiving an input power, and for providing a charging power for charging the battery pack. The power converter provides galvanic isolation between input circuitry and output circuitry of the circuit. The input circuitry shares a first ground potential with the input power, and the output circuitry shares a second ground potential with the charging power. The charger controller in the input circuitry includes a modulator for generating a driving signal to drive the power converter and control the charging power. |
| US08143860B2 |
Single chip microcontroller including battery management and protection
A microcontroller is disclosed. The microcontroller comprises a processor system and a high voltage interface coupled to the processor system and adapted to be coupled to a battery. The microcontroller further includes a battery management system for monitoring the battery and managing the battery based upon the monitoring of the battery. The microcontroller is a single chip. This one-chip solution saves design cost and PCB space in addition to broadening the functionality of the smart battery application. With the accuracy of the microcontroller, the charge status of the battery can be predicted more accurately and therefore effectively increases actual battery capacity. |
| US08143858B2 |
Electrical apparatus, electrical apparatus system, and power supply apparatus
When a battery pack, comprising an overcurrent protection section for stopping, when a current greater than a first threshold value passes, a current supply, is connected to a power supply terminal of an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus draws a current greater than the first threshold value. Thereafter, an output current and output voltage of the battery pack are detected, thereby measuring a time period from when a current drawing section draws the current greater than the first threshold value to when the battery pack stops the current supply. When the measured time period is within a first predetermined time range, the battery pack is permitted to supply an electric power. On the other hand, when the measured time period is not in the first predetermined time range, the battery pack is prohibited from supplying the electric power. |
| US08143857B2 |
Battery monitoring systems
A battery monitoring system includes a first module and a second module coupled to the first module. The first module shifts a reference signal to a first shifted signal. The second module shifts the reference signal to a second shifted signal and shifts the first shifted signal to a third shifted signal. The second module also monitors a set of cells through the first module and provides an output signal indicative of a status of the set of cells. The second and third shifted signals are usable for calibrating the output signal. |
| US08143856B2 |
Bi-directional inverter-charger
A bi-directional inverter-charger including a bridge rectifier and DC-to-DC conversion components. The inverter-charger may be connected between an alternating current source, e.g., an AC line, and a direct current source, e.g., a battery pack. The DC-to-DC conversion components may include boost and buck circuits that are switchably configured between a charge mode and an inverter mode such that common components are used in both charge and inverter configurations. In the charge configuration, a full wave rectified signal from the H-bridge is up converted by the boost circuit, and the buck circuit controls charge current to the direct current source. In the inverter configuration, the boost circuit up converts the direct current voltage source, and the buck circuit controls the current and its form to the bridge circuit so that the bridge circuit may be connected directly with the AC source. |
| US08143850B2 |
Inductive charger battery replacement system and device
The invention is a device and system for providing power to a portable electronic device. A battery unit includes a rechargeable battery and is configured to be removably secured to a portable electronic device to provide power thereto. A base unit is configured to receive and charge one or more battery units, either alone or with the battery units secured to portable electronic devices. The battery unit includes a battery charge indicator, which can be a visible signal. An optical bath is defined through the base unit to transmit the visible signal of the battery unit to a base unit battery charge display. |
| US08143849B2 |
Method and system for recharging a battery power supply unit for a bicycle electronic device
A method and system for recharging a battery power supply unit is provided. During the recharging of a battery power supply unit for a bicycle electronic device, the power supply unit is electrically disconnected from the electronic device and receives recharging energy from a first power supply circuit of a battery charger. The battery charger comprises a second power supply circuit which, during the recharging of the battery power supply unit, supplies the electronic device. In such a manner, the first power supply circuit is intended only for recharging the battery power unit and the recharging is hence optimized. |
| US08143848B2 |
Video game controller charging system having a docking structure
A video game controller charging system is provided. The video game controller charging system includes a base; at least one structure on the base for providing physical support to at least one video game controller while it is being charged; and at least one DC port on the base configured to couple to and provide DC power to a power input port of the at least one video game controller. The video game controller charging system may also include a current detector, a charging status indicator, at least one docking bay, and/or an AC-to-DC converter adapted to convert externally supplied power to the DC power provided to the power input port of at least one video game controller. The base of a charging station may include a recess having at least one electrical contact and a power input for connection to a power supply. |
| US08143845B2 |
Cable voltage drop compensation for battery chargers
A battery charger may be configured to charge a battery by way of a charging cable. A DC gain of a voltage control loop of the battery charger may be limited to a predetermined value to compensate for voltage drop on the charging cable. For example, a DC gain of an error amplifier on the voltage control loop may be limited to a predetermined value for cable voltage drop compensation. The error amplifier may use a reference signal that is generated as a function of the error signal. The DC gain of the error amplifier may be limited by connecting a resistor to form an RC circuit on an output node of the error amplifier. |
| US08143844B2 |
Charging device
The charging circuit includes an antenna circuit receiving radio waves, a rectifier circuit rectifying AC voltage generated in the antenna circuit to generate DC voltage, and a power supply circuit adjusting the magnitude of the DC voltage and charging a rechargeable battery using the adjusted DC voltage. The charging device may further include a charge control circuit controlling the power supply circuit so as to prevent overcharge of the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery may be charged by application of DC voltage to a pair of terminals, or it may be charged wirelessly in such a manner that an oscillation circuit and an output antenna circuit are additionally provided. |
| US08143843B2 |
Electrically-driven vehicle and method for controlling charging of electrically-driven vehicle
In an electrically-driven vehicle comprising a battery which can be charged from an external power supply, a charger, a charger controller which controls the charger, and a battery controller which monitors a battery state, energy loss during the charging is reduced and charging efficiency is improved. A hybrid electric vehicle which is the electrically-driven vehicle includes a charging circuit having a charger which is connected to a high-voltage battery and a charge-time connection switch which is connected between the high-voltage battery and the charger, a charger ECU, and a battery ECU. The battery ECU is activated when a voltage signal is input, and when determining that the state of the high-voltage battery satisfies a chargeable condition, connects the charge-time connection switch, activates the charger ECU and transmits a signal representing the battery state to the charger ECU. |
| US08143840B2 |
Device for controlling induction motor
A device for controlling an induction motor includes a voltage/frequency controller, a pulse width modulation controller, and a converter. The voltage/frequency controller receives a controlling frequency, and outputs a controlling voltage corresponding to the controlling frequency. The pulse width modulation controller receives the controlling voltage and the controlling frequency, and generates PWM signals according to the controlling voltage and the controlling frequency. The converter receives the PWM signals, and controls the induction motor according to the PWM signals. There is a predetermined relationship between the controlling voltage and the controlling frequency stored in the voltage/frequency controller. The controlling voltage is greater than zero in response to the controlling frequency being zero, and increasing the controlling frequency increases the controlling voltage as in the predetermined relationship. |
| US08143839B2 |
Alternating-current motor control apparatus
An alternating-current motor control apparatus includes a stator frequency computing unit configured to compute a stator frequency of a motor magnetic flux; a torque error computing unit configured to compute a torque error by using the motor magnetic flux, an estimated current, and a motor current; and a speed estimator configured to estimate a speed of the alternating-current motor by using the stator frequency and the torque error. The speed estimator includes a proportional controller configured to reduce the torque error to zero, and an adaptive filter configured to eliminate a high-frequency component of the torque error. |
| US08143838B2 |
Phase current estimation apparatus for motor and magnetic pole position estimation apparatus for motor
A phase current estimation apparatus for a motor capable of suitably improving estimation accuracy of phase currents is provided. The phase current estimation apparatus 10 of the motor includes a control unit 24 that decomposes a command voltage vector Vdq into two vector components V′dq in the case where a magnitude of the command voltage vector Vdq is less than a predetermined lower limit voltage Vlow, so that the command voltage vector Vdq is allowed to have the magnitude equal to or more than the predetermined lower limit voltage Vlow for every two adjacent periods in units of a period of a carrier signal and to have the phase outside a predetermined phase range including phases of reference voltage vectors. Accordingly, the control unit 24 can quantitatively analyze harmonic components, which are generated by decomposing the command voltage vector Vdq into the two vector components V′dq, by using mathematical equations. |
| US08143836B2 |
Motor controller
A motor controller capable of effectively utilizing electrical energy accumulated in a capacitor and achieving a reduction in capacitance of the capacitor. The motor controller includes a converter that receives an input AC voltage and performs AC-to-DC power conversion thereon, an inverter that receives DC power and performs DC-to-AC conversion thereon, and a capacitor and a charging/discharging control circuit connected in parallel with a DC link between the converter and the inverter. Electrical energy is supplied from the capacitor to the DC link via the charging/discharging control circuit. The charging/discharging control circuit has a circuit for discharging electrical energy accumulated in the capacitor and for stepping up a voltage of the capacitor when discharging the electrical energy. |
| US08143834B2 |
Electronically commutated serial-parallel switching for motor windings
A method and a circuit for controlling an ac machine comprises controlling a full bridge network of commutation switches which are connected between a multiphase voltage source and the phase windings to switch the phase windings between a parallel connection and a series connection while providing commutation discharge paths for electrical current resulting from inductance in the phase windings. This provides extra torque for starting a vehicle from lower battery current. |
| US08143830B2 |
Brushless motor apparatus
A blushless direct current (BLDG) motor apparatus includes: a stator which is provided with a plurality of windings corresponding to N phases and wound in parallel independently of each other; a rotor which has a plurality of poles corresponding to the plurality of windings and rotates with respect to the stator by excitation of the windings; a switching unit which is provided in the form of a full H-bridge with respect to each phase, comprises a pair of upper switching devices corresponding to a (+) side of the winding and a pair of lower switching devices corresponding to a (−) side of the winding, and performs a switching operation to supply or not to supply driving power to the winding; a first sensing device which senses the phase of the rotor with respect to the stator to determine whether to turn on or off the upper switching device; a second sensing device which is provided in the latter part than the first sensing device and senses the phase of the rotor with respect to the stator to determine whether to turn on or off the lower switching device; and a controller which uses a partial square wave to drive the upper switching device and the lower switching device on the basis of the sensed phase of the rotor, and controls the lower switching device to be turned off later than the upper switching device by more than a time to exhaust an electric current staying in the winding. |
| US08143827B2 |
Error recognition by evaluation of parameters of the field oriented regulation
A drive device having an electric motor with a device for field oriented control of the electric motor and a method for operation thereof is disclosed. An error monitoring of a transducer on the electric motor is achieved by a comparator device for comparing a transducer signal of the transducer on the electric motor with a calculated parameter of the field oriented control, the comparator device recognizing a transducer error and/or a coupling error. The coupling error relates to a coupling for mounting the transducer on the electric motor. |
| US08143826B2 |
Drive control circuit for electric motor
A drive control circuit includes: an original drive signal generator generating an original drive signal based on a positional signal indicating a relative position of a first member and a second member of an electric motor; an excitation ratio signal generator generating an excitation ratio signal indicating a ratio of excitation interval to non-excitation interval of coils of the electric motor based on a speed signal indicating a relative speed of the first member and the second member of the electric motor; an excitation interval signal generator generating a binary excitation interval signal specifying the excitation interval and the non-excitation interval of the coils of the electric motor based on the positional signal and the excitation ratio signal; and a mask circuit generating a drive signal for driving the electric motor by masking part of the original drive signal based on the excitation interval signal. |
| US08143823B2 |
Bidirectional different speed ratio electric motor driving device with bidirectional input
The present invention discloses that the output end of the electric motor capable of being operated in bidirectional rotation is transmitted to the input end of different rotating speed ratio and direction output transmission device, and it is through the output end of the different rotating speed ratio and direction output transmission device to further provide different directional rotating output for driving the rotating load, wherein the user can operatively control the driving input direction to provide different rotating directional different speed change ratio output in different driving input direction. |
| US08143809B2 |
LED illuminating device
A LED illuminating device includes: a power source device, a controller, an LED lighting device, and an LED unit 4 incorporating LEDs of a plurality of emission colors. The device is configured to mix the lights of the LEDs at an arbitrary proportion and set the lights in an arbitrary color mixture proportion on the basis of a dimming signal from the controller. The device is further configured so that: a coefficient specific to the LED unit at which an emission color of the LED unit becomes a desired color can be set to a signal value of the controller preliminarily set as a standard. The LED lighting device can control an emission amount of the LEDs having the respective emission colors by using a value calculated by a calculation expression employing the specific coefficient. |
| US08143807B2 |
Color temperature controller and color temperature control method of light emitting diode
This invention discloses a color temperature controller and a color temperature control method of a light emitting diode (LED). The color temperature controller applied in an LED lamp includes touch switches and a control element. After a color of a color pattern on any touch switch is clicked and selected by a user, a signal of the color is outputted to the control element, and the control element outputs a corresponding pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to control either the current or the voltage of a three-color LED in the LED lamp, so that the LED lamp produces a same color temperature change of the signal of the color to improve the color temperature control of a conventional LED lamp, and provides a flexible color change of the LED lamp. |
| US08143806B2 |
Multiple location dimming system
A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators. |
| US08143805B2 |
System and method for selectively dimming an LED
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an LED ballast circuit for dimming one or more LEDs using a phase controlled dimmer switch. The LED ballast circuit has a power conditioning unit which includes a substantially fixed duty cycle clock for outputting a clock cycle and a transformer configured to store energy and discharge a substantial portion of the stored energy once per clock cycle in order to power one or more LEDs. The LED ballast circuit and load collectively behave like a resistor. |
| US08143804B2 |
Light source driving device
A light source driving device includes a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, a power stage circuit, a power conversion circuit, a balancing circuit, an inverter control signal processor, an inverter controller and an isolation component. Alternating current (AC) signals are converted into electrical signals to drive lamps via the PFC circuit, the power stage circuit, the power conversion circuit and the current balancing circuit. The power conversion circuit including a transformer divides the driving device into a primary side and a secondary side. The inverter control signal processor receives a first control signal output from a secondary side and generates a second control signal. The inverter controller is disposed on the secondary side to drive the power stage circuit.The isolation component transmits the second control signal to the inverter controller and isolates the inverter control signal processor from the inverter controller. |
| US08143802B2 |
Method of driving discharge lamp, driving device, and projector
A method for driving a discharge lamp that supplies an AC current to a discharge lamp having a first electrode and a second electrode so as to produce discharge and to cause the discharge lamp to emit light includes the steps of, during a steady operation in which the AC current is supplied to the first electrode and the second electrode, when power of the same amount is fed to the first and second electrodes, and a tip portion of the first electrode becomes higher than a tip portion of the second electrode in temperature, changing the duty ratio of the AC current to be supplied between the first electrode and the second electrode in accordance with a predetermined pattern, and setting a current value when the first electrode operates as an anode during one cycle so as to be smaller than a current value when the second electrode operates as an anode during one cycle. |
| US08143800B2 |
Circuits and methods for driving a load with power factor correction function
A circuit for driving a load includes a power line, converter circuitry, and a controller. The power line is operable for providing an input current and an input voltage. The converter circuitry coupled to the power line is operable for converting the input voltage to a regulated voltage to drive the load, and for providing a current detection signal indicating whether a converter current flowing through the converter circuitry drops to a predetermined level. The controller coupled to the converter circuitry is operable for correcting a power factor of the circuit based on the current detection signal and the input voltage such that a waveform of the input current follows a waveform of the input voltage. |
| US08143798B2 |
Driving device and driving method for discharge lamp, light source device, and image display apparatus
A driving device for a discharge lamp includes: a discharge-lamp lighting unit that supplies an alternating current to the discharge lamp to thereby supply electric power to between two electrodes of the discharge lamp; an inter-electrode-voltage detecting unit that detects an inter-electrode voltage applied when predetermined electric power is supplied to between the two electrodes; and a power-supply-condition switching unit that switches, on the basis of the detected inter-electrode voltage, the power supply by the discharge-lamp lighting unit with a predetermined hysteresis given to the switching of the power supply conditions, wherein the power supply conditions are switched by changing at least one of a frequency of the alternating current, a duty ratio of the alternating current, a modulation pattern of the frequency, and a modulation pattern of the duty ratio. |
| US08143797B2 |
DC/AC inverter
A direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) inverter is for driving a fluorescent lamp through quasi sine wave generation. The DC/AC inverter includes a frequency generator for generating a reference signal and a modulation signal, a pulse width modulator coupled to the frequency generator for providing a pulse width modulation signal according to said modulation signal, a driver circuit coupled to the pulse width modulator for generating at least one driving signal according to the pulse width modulation signal and the reference signal, a half bridge power switch unit coupled to the driver circuit, and a resonant tank coupled to the fluorescent lamp for outputting a quasi sine wave to drive the fluorescent lamp. |
| US08143794B1 |
Low voltage light source driving circuit
A low voltage LED (Light Emitting Diode) driving circuit operates under low supply voltage to provide stable and reliable control of LEDs. The LED driving circuit includes a switching transistor to turn on or off an output current in the LED. The LED driving circuit also includes a control transistor for controlling the level of the output current. The two transistors are coupled via a node that is maintained at a low voltage to increase the voltage across the switching transistor. The increased voltage across the switching transistor allows faster switching and more stable control over different levels of output voltage. The LED driver also includes circuit components for matching the turn-on times and turn-off times for different levels of the output current. |
| US08143792B2 |
Light-emitting diode backlighting systems
Lighting system embodiments are provided to energize and calibrate strings of light-emitting diodes. These embodiments are particularly useful for calibration of strings of light-emitting diodes that are arranged to provide backlighting of liquid crystal displays. The systems are structured around the use of a single comparator that is multiplexed to facilitate calibration of a plurality of current sources. The systems can be adapted for use in displays in which different techniques (e.g., “analog dimming” and “pulse-width modulation”) are used to vary the brightness of the display. The systems remove the need for special structures (e.g., fuse arrays, special test equipment, and interfaces). |
| US08143791B2 |
Control system for light-emitting device
A control system for a light-emitting device may include test circuitry, photodetectors, and process circuitry. The test circuitry is configured to sequentially drive individual groups of light-emitting elements in a light-emitting device during a test sequence. Each group of light-emitting elements includes one or more light-emitting elements. The photodetectors are configured to detect an intensity of light present at a plurality of locations of the light-emitting device during the test sequence and generate a detection signal corresponding to the detected intensity of light. The process circuitry is configured to process the detection signals and transmit an adjustment signal based on the processing. The light-emitting elements may then be driven such that at least one characteristic of light emitted by all of the plurality of light-emitting elements is substantially the same at each of the plurality of locations of the light-mixing region. |
| US08143787B2 |
Xenon lamp
A xenon lamp having a lamp tube made of silica glass containing titanium oxide and having a discharge chamber with a light emitting part containing xenon and in which a cathode and an anode are arranged in opposition to each other, the cathode and anode being mounted on an end of a respective lead rod, the lamp tube also having side tube parts extending from each of opposite sides of the light emitting part, each lead rod being sealed by a gradient binding part which is arranged in a respective side tube part, and the side tube parts having a narrowed shrink part in a region facing the light emitting part, wherein a conductive film is provided on an outer surface area of the shrink part and an adjoining area of an outer surface of the light emitting part at the cathode side of the lamp tube; and wherein the conductive film is electrically connected to the cathode. |
| US08143786B2 |
Plasma display panel
A plasma display panel includes a front panel including a glass front substrate, a display electrode formed on the substrate, a dielectric layer formed so as to cover the display electrode, and a protective layer formed on the dielectric layer; and a rear panel disposed facing the front panel so that discharge space is formed and including an address electrode formed in a direction intersecting the display electrode and a barrier rib partitioning the discharge space. The protective layer is formed by forming a base film on the dielectric layer and attaching a plurality of crystal particles made of metal oxide to the base film so as to be distributed over an entire surface at a covering rate of not less than 1% and not more than 15%. |
| US08143785B2 |
Plasma display device having an anisotropic conductive film
A plasma display device includes a plasma display panel for displaying an image by a gas discharge. A chassis base is attached to the plasma display panel and supports the plasma display panel. At least one printed circuit board is mounted on the a side of the chassis base at opposite the side supporting the plasma display panel. At least one flexible printed circuit connects electrodes of the plasma display panel and terminals of the printed circuit boards. An anisotropic conductive film is between the terminal of the printed circuit board and a terminal of the flexible printed circuit and connects the terminal of the printed circuit board and the terminal of the flexible printed circuit. The printed circuit board includes at least one dummy groove outside a region of the printed circuit board facing the flexible printed circuit. |
| US08143784B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a transparent plate having a first area and a second area, a first conductive line on the second area of the transparent plate, a substrate having a third area and a fourth area on the first area of the transparent plate, a display element on the third area of the substrate, and a second conductive line on the fourth area of the substrate. The second conductive line is electrically coupled between the display element and the first conductive line, and the first and second conductive lines are on different planes. |
| US08143781B2 |
Organic electroluminescent compounds with high efficiency and display device using the same
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent compound containing fluorenyl group and a display device using the same, more precisely the organic electroluminescent compound. The organic electroluminescent compound of the present invention is characterized by upgraded excellent EL property compared with the conventional host materials. |
| US08143776B2 |
Luminescent screen and image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes a rear plate including an electron-emitting device; and a luminescent screen including a plurality of light-emitting members, a plurality of anode electrodes positioned so as to overlap the light-emitting members, a partition wall member positioned between the light-emitting members adjacent to each other, a stripe-shaped resistance member electrically connecting the anode electrodes adjacent to each other and being positioned on the partition wall member, and a feeding electrode electrically connecting the resistance member to a power supply, wherein the feeding electrode is, on a mesh-shaped base adjacent to the partition wall member, in contact with the resistance member and a terminal of the power supply circuit. |
| US08143775B2 |
Two-way reciprocal amplification electron/photon source
In one embodiment of the present invention, an electron/photon source is disclosed based on field emission, cathodoluminescent and photo-enhanced field emission, including an evacuated chamber inside a housing, further including an anode and a cathode arranged inside the evacuated chamber. Furthermore, the cathode is arranged to emit electrons when a voltage is applied between the anode and cathode, the anode being arranged to emit light at a first wavelength range when receiving electrons emitted from the cathode, and a wavelength range converting material arranged to receive the emitted light of the first wavelength range and emit light at a second wavelength range. In a novel way, an embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to, in two steps, convert the electrons emitted from the cathode to visible light. The invention has shown to be advantageous, and makes it possible to select new emission materials, manufactured at a fraction of the cost associated with the earlier used materials where the electron to visible light conversion was done in one step. |
| US08143771B2 |
Filter and display device having the same
A filter for a display device includes a base substrate, a shielding film formed based on a single transparent base layer, and an adhesive layer adhering the shielding film onto the base substrate. The shielding film which realizes diverse shielding functions in a single sheet is adhered onto the base substrate through a single process, which serves to improve productivity, reduce manufacturing cost, restrain the occurrence of Haze and improve visibility. |
| US08143766B2 |
Harvesting energy from vehicular vibrations using piezoelectric devices
An energy harvesting apparatus for deployment on a vehicle having a frame includes a spring assembly coupled to the frame and configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel. A piezoelectric device is mounted on the spring assembly for generating electrical energy in response to the strain imposed thereon. A rectifier is coupled to the piezoelectric device for converting AC electrical energy to DC. |
| US08143765B1 |
Self-powering headset, devices and related methods
In one aspect, the invention relates to a headset that includes an element that generates energy in response to forces. The headset includes at least one vibratable piezoelectric element; a first circuit element in electrical communication with the at least one vibratable piezoelectric element; and a signal processing element, the signal processing element disposed within the headset and at least partially energized by mechanical changes in the vibratable piezoelectric element. |
| US08143764B2 |
Flat stacked-type conductive polymer actuator
A first conductive polymer film, a plate-shaped first porous member, a second conductive polymer film, and a plate-shaped second porous member are stacked on one another, and the adjacent members are connected with each other on first end portions so as to form a zigzag pattern. The first and second porous members each have an ionic solution injected thereinto so as to function as an electrolyte retention layer, so that operations can be carried out with tensions being always maintained upon both of the expansion and the contraction, and rigidity and a driving force can be exerted in both of the contracting and expanding directions. |
| US08143763B2 |
Linear piezoelectric nano-positioner
A linear piezoelectric nano-positioner includes an armature configured to be translated along a longitudinal axis and having oppositely-disposed bearing surfaces and oppositely-disposed piezo surfaces, bearing sets engaged with the bearing surfaces of the armature to translatably support the armature, and piezoelectric elements engaged with the piezo surfaces of the armature to translate the armature along the longitude axis. |
| US08143761B2 |
Motor assembly
A motor assembly includes a flexible base mount having an integrally formed axial tube, support ledges disposed on the axial tube to axially support a stator disposed on the axial tube to be firmly engaged with the stator for further ensuring immobility, a flexible mounting shell member axially insertable into the axial tube and having a receptacle cap at a lower end thereof, retaining and retained members disposed between the mounting shell member and the axial tube to guard relative movement therebetween, and an antifriction bearing disposed in the mounting shell member to bear a revolving shaft of a rotor. All the constituted components can be standardized and modularized. With such simple construction, the motor assembly can be easily assembled. |
| US08143760B2 |
Miniature electrical drive and magnetic return path element, and method for its production
The present invention relates to a miniature electrical drive (1), in particular a rotating field drive with permanent magnet excitation, having a stator (2) and a soft-magnetic return path element (6) which cylindrically surrounds the stator (2) and has a multiplicity of sheet-metal laminates (22) which are in the form of annular disks and are arranged in layers to form a cylindrical laminated core (20). The sheet-metal laminates (22) in the laminated core (20) are held prestressed exclusively with a force fit and in an interlocking manner in the axial and radial directions, and without adhesive or integral joint means such as this, in a supporting sleeve (24) which coaxially surrounds said sheet-metal laminates (22). |
| US08143759B2 |
Laminated stator assembly
A stator core for a generator includes a multiple of core laminations along an axis, each of the multiple of core laminations define at least one leg which extends in a radial direction from the axis. |
| US08143747B2 |
Flux control system for active voltage conditioning
A flux control system for a three-phase active voltage conditioner that utilizes an injection transformer to apply calculated compensation voltage to a mains supply. The flux control system is configured to modify the compensation voltage to be applied to at least one primary terminal of the injection transformer so as to avoid magnetic saturation of the injection transformer. The flux control system includes magnetic flux model modules that are configured to calculate a core flux level of the injection transformer, flux offset modules that are configured to apply a first modification to the compensation voltage to gradually reduce any flux offset in the injection transformer, and peak flux modules that are configured to apply a second modification to the compensation voltage to prevent the core flux level from exceeding a preset range. |
| US08143744B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing uninterruptible power
At least one aspect is directed to an uninterruptible power supply that includes a first input having an input line connection and an input neutral connection to receive a first input voltage from a first voltage source, a second input to receive a second input voltage from a second voltage source, and a boost circuit configured to provide a positive output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection and a negative output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection in both a line mode of operation and a backup mode of operation. The power supply also includes a first connection circuit to couple the first input to the boost circuit in the line mode of operation, and a second connection circuit to couple the second input to the boost circuit in the backup mode of operation, the second connection circuit being configured to isolate the second voltage source from the input neutral connection in the line mode of operation. |
| US08143743B2 |
Uninterruptible power supply apparatus
A method of controlling an uninterruptible power supply apparatus (UPS) is provided. The UPS apparatus includes at least an AC input voltage, a DC input voltage and a single-phase AC/AC converter. The single-phase AC/AC converter includes an AC inductor, a bus capacitor, a boost arm, a common arm and a buck arm. The method includes steps of: controlling the bus voltage to have a DC component and full-wave rectifying component, and setting a bus voltage parameter K so that the bus voltage approaches to a full-wave rectifying voltage when K approaches to 1, wherein 0≦K≦1. |
| US08143741B2 |
Electric power generation control device for motor vehicle
An electric power generation control device for a motor vehicle is provided which ensures a satisfactory regenerative effect without entailing flickering of or reduction in life of headlights even if the headlights are turned on at all times. The electric power generation control device lowers the power generation voltage of an alternator when the electricity storage amount of a battery is at or above a predetermined level. While lighting of a headlight bulb is detected, lowering of the power generation voltage is restrained if the state of sunlight is equivalent to nighttime, and the power generation voltage is allowed to be lowered if the sunlight state is equivalent to daytime. |
| US08143738B2 |
Hyper-surface wind generator
An electric generator capable of generating electric power using kinetic energy of wind includes a first plurality of rotor plates, a second plurality of rotor plates, and a first plurality of blades capable of driving the first plurality of rotor plates, a second plurality of blades being formed to enable counter-rotation with respect to the first plurality of blades, wherein rotation of the first plurality of rotor plates relative to the second plurality of rotor plates induces electricity in a plurality of coils disposed on the second plurality of rotor plates, and wherein at least one of the first and second plurality of rotor plates are arranged co-axially with the shaft such that respective radii of the at least one of the first and second plurality of rotor plates are varied along the axial direction. |
| US08143728B2 |
Electronic board and manufacturing method thereof, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
An electronic board includes: a substrate; and a wiring pattern provided on the substrate and having a part that forms a resistance element, the part having wiring specifications that are different from those of other parts. |
| US08143727B2 |
Adhesive on wire stacked semiconductor package
A semiconductor package and a method of producing the same has a substrate. A first semiconductor chip is coupled to a surface of the substrate. The first semiconductor chip has a first and second surfaces which are substantially flat in nature. An adhesive layer is coupled to the second surface of the first semiconductor chip. A second semiconductor chip having first and second surfaces which are substantially flat in nature is further provided. An insulator is coupled to the first surface of the second semiconductor chip for preventing shorting of wirebonds. The second semiconductor chip is coupled to the adhesive layer by the insulator coupled to the first surface thereof. |
| US08143724B2 |
Standard cell and semiconductor device including the same
This invention prevents a break in a signal wire disposed between wire ends due to attenuation and improves production yields of devices. In a standard cell, a first signal wire extends in a first direction. Second and third signal wires extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and are facing each other across the first signal wire. The second and third signal wires have the widths larger than the width of the first signal wire. |
| US08143722B2 |
Wafer-level interconnect for high mechanical reliability applications
An interconnect structure comprises a solder including nickel (Ni) and tin (Sn), with the nickel in a range of 0.01 to 0.20 percent by weight. The interconnect structure further includes an intermetallic compound (IMC) layer in contact with the solder. The (IMC) layer comprises a compound of copper and nickel. |
| US08143719B2 |
Vented die and package
A die that includes a substrate having a first and second major surface is disclosed. The die has at least one unfilled through via passing through the major surfaces of the substrate. The unfilled through via serves as a vent to release pressure generated during assembly. |
| US08143714B2 |
Integrated circuit and method for producing the same
An integrated circuit provides a carrier substrate, a wiring level above a carrier substrate, wherein the wiring level comprises a first conductor track composed of a first conductive material and a second conductor track composed of the first conductive material, an insulating layer above the wiring level, wherein the insulating layer comprises a first opening in a region of the first conductor track of the wiring level and a second opening in a region of the second conductor track of the wiring level and a contact bridge composed of a second conductive material, wherein the contact bridge is connected to the first conductor track in a region of the first opening and is connected to the second conductor track in a region of the second opening. |
| US08143711B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with offset stacking and anti-flash structure
An integrated circuit package system includes: a carrier; a device structure in an offset location over the carrier with the device structure having a bond pad and a contact pad; an electrical interconnect between the bond pad and the carrier; an anti-flash structure over the device structure with the anti-flash structure exposing the contact pad; and a package encapsulation adjacent to the anti-flash structure and over the carrier. |
| US08143710B2 |
Wafer-level chip-on-chip package, package on package, and methods of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a multi-chip package in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are mounted on a single package using a chip-on-chip technique reduces warping due to a difference in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) between a printed circuit board (PCB) and a stacked semiconductor chip. A package on package is manufactured by vertically stacking packages to operate a memory semiconductor chip package and a logic semiconductor chip package in a single system. To improve a non-wet defect of solder balls used to connect packages and minimize the mounting height of the package on package, a protection member formed of an epoxy mold compound (EMC) is formed on the memory semiconductor chip package to only partially expose the solder balls, and the exposed portions of the solder balls are connected to vias formed in a rear surface of the logic semiconductor chip package using a solder ball attaching process. |
| US08143708B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a thin and small semiconductor device that has high reliability and high resistance to external stress and electrostatic discharge. Another object is to manufacture a semiconductor device with high yield while shape defects and defective characteristics which are caused by external stress or electrostatic discharge are prevented in the manufacturing process. A conductive shield covering a semiconductor integrated circuit prevents electrostatic breakdown (malfunction of the circuit or damage to a semiconductor element) of the semiconductor integrated circuit due to electrostatic discharge. By providing an antenna on the external side of the conductive shield, a sufficient communication capability is secured. With the use of a pair of insulators which sandwich the semiconductor integrated circuit, a thin and small semiconductor device that has resistance properties and high reliability can be provided. Further, shape defects and defective characteristics which are caused by external stress or electrostatic discharge are prevented in the manufacturing process, so that a semiconductor device can be manufactured with high yield. |
| US08143705B2 |
Tamper-resistant semiconductor device and methods of manufacturing thereof
The invention relates to a tamper-resistant semiconductor device comprising a substrate (5) comprising an electronic circuit arranged on a first side thereof. An electrically-conductive protection layer (50, 50a, 50b) is arranged on a second side of the substrate (5) opposite to the first side. At least three through-substrate electrically-conductive connections (45) extend from the first side of the substrate (5) into the substrate (5) and in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive protection layer (50, 50a, 50b) on the second side of the substrate (5). A security circuit is arranged on the first side connected to the through-substrate electrically-conductive connections (45) and is arranged for measuring at least two resistance values (R12, R23, R34, R14, R13, R24) of the electrically-conductive protection layer (50, 50a, 50b) through the through-substrate electrically-conductive connections (45). The security circuit is further arranged for comparing the measured resistance values (R12, R23, R34, R14, R13, R24) with reference resistance values. |
| US08143692B2 |
Capacitance trimming circuit of semiconductor device having vertically stacked capacitor layers and operation method thereof
A capacitance trimming circuit of a semiconductor device may include a plurality of capacitor layers and/or a plurality of fuses. The plurality of capacitor layers may be vertically stacked. The plurality of fuses may be arranged to correspond to the plurality of capacitor layers, and/or the plurality of fuses may be configured to select corresponding ones of the plurality of capacitor layers for controlling a capacitance of the plurality of capacitor layers. |
| US08143690B2 |
Semiconductor device having electrostatic discharge protection circuit and method of manufacturing the same
Semiconductor device having an on-chip type electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The on-chip type ESD protection circuit may include a first junction diode having a first conductive type region contacting a second conductive type region in a semiconductor substrate, and a first schottky diode having a metallic material layer arranged on and contacting the first conductive type region of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08143686B2 |
Laser-induced structuring of substrate surfaces
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of processing a substrate, e.g., a semiconductor substrate, by irradiating a surface of the substrate (or at least a portion of the surface) with a first set of polarized short laser pulses while exposing the surface to a fluid to generate a plurality of structures on the surface, e.g., within a top layer of the surface. Subsequently, the structured surface can be irradiated with another set of polarized short laser pulses having a different polarization than that of the initial set while exposing the structured surface to a fluid, e.g., the same fluid initially utilized to form the structured surface or a different fluid. In many embodiments, the second set of polarized laser pulses cause the surface structures formed by the first set to break up into smaller-sized structures, e.g., nano-sized features such as nano-sized rods. |
| US08143682B2 |
Methods and systems for implementing logic gates with spintronic devices located at nanowire crossbar junctions of crossbar arrays
Various method and system embodiments of the present invention are directed to implementing serial logic gates using nanowire-crossbar arrays with spintronic devices located at nanowire-crossbar junctions. In one embodiment of the present invention, a nanowire-crossbar array comprises a first nanowire and a number of substantially parallel control nanowires positioned so that each control nanowire overlaps the first nanowire. The nanowire-crossbar array includes a number of spintronic devices. Each spintronic device is configured to connect one of the control nanowires to the first nanowire and operate as a latch for controlling signal transmissions between the control nanowire and the first nanowire. |
| US08143680B2 |
Gated diode with non-planar source region
A gated-diode semiconductor device or similar component and a method of fabricating the device. The device features a gate structure disposed on a substrate over a channel and adjacent a source and a drain. The top of the source or drain region, or both, are formed so as to be at a higher elevation, in whole or in part, than the bottom of the gate structure. This configuration may be achieved by overlaying the gate structure and substrate with a profile layer that guides a subsequent etch process to create a sloped profile. The source and drain, if both are present, may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. This configuration significantly reduces dopant encroachment and, as a consequence, reduces junction leakage. |
| US08143673B1 |
Circuit with electrostatic discharge protection
A circuit with electrostatic discharge protection is described. The circuit includes an output driver transistor with an extended drain contact region. The circuit also includes a distinct device configured to provide electrostatic discharge protection for the output driver transistor. The distinct device includes an electrostatic discharge protection transistor with an extended drain region. |
| US08143671B2 |
Lateral trench FETs (field effect transistors)
A semiconductor structure and associated method of formation. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a first doped transistor region of a first transistor and a first doped Source/Drain portion of a second transistor on the semiconductor substrate, a second gate dielectric layer and a second gate electrode region of the second transistor on the semiconductor substrate, a first gate dielectric layer and a first gate electrode region of the first transistor on the semiconductor substrate, and a second doped transistor region of the first transistor and a second doped Source/Drain portion of the second transistor on the semiconductor substrate. The first and second gate dielectric layers are sandwiched between and electrically insulate the semiconductor substrate from the first and second gate electrode regions, respectively. The first and second gate electrode regions are totally above and totally below, respectively, the top substrate surface. |
| US08143667B2 |
Semiconductor device having non-volatile memory and method of fabricating the same
A memory cell of a non-volatile memory device, comprises: a select transistor gate of a select transistor on a substrate, the select transistor gate comprising: a gate dielectric pattern; and a select gate on the gate dielectric pattern; first and second memory cell transistor gates of first and second memory cell transistors on the substrate at opposite sides of the select transistor, each of the first and second memory cell transistor gates comprising: a tunnel insulating layer pattern; a charge storage layer pattern on the tunnel insulating layer pattern; a blocking insulating layer pattern on the charge storage layer pattern; and a control gate on the blocking insulating layer pattern; first and second floating junction regions in the substrate between the select transistor gate and the first and second memory cell transistor gates respectively; and first and second drain regions in the substrate at sides of the first and second memory cell transistor gates respectively opposite the first and second floating junction regions respectively. Methods of formation thereof are also provided. |
| US08143658B2 |
Charge storage nanostructure
The present invention relates to a nanostructured device for charge storage. In particular the invention relates to a charge storage device that can be used for memory applications. According to the invention the device comprise a first nanowire with a first wrap gate arranged around a portion of its length, and a charge storing terminal connected to one end, and a second nanowire with a second wrap gate arranged around a portion of its length. The charge storing terminal is connected to the second wrap gate, whereby a charge stored on the charge storing terminal can affect a current in the second nanowire. The current can be related to written (charged) or unwritten (no charge) state, and hence a memory function is established. |
| US08143656B2 |
High performance one-transistor DRAM cell device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided are a high-performance one-transistor floating-body DRAM cell device and a manufacturing method thereof. The one-transistor floating-body DRAM cell device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a gate stack which is formed on the semiconductor substrate; a control electrode which is formed on the semiconductor substrate and surrounded by the gate stack; a floating body which is formed on the control electrode that is surrounded by the gate stack; source/drain which are formed at left and right sides of the floating body; an insulating layer which insulates the source/drain from the semiconductor substrate and the control electrode; a gate insulating layer which is formed on the floating body and the source/drain; and a gate electrode which is formed on the gate insulating layer. In the cell device having a double-gate structure, charges can be stored in a non-volatile manner by the control electrodes, so that it is possible to improve a degree of integration of devices, a uniformity of characteristic, and a sensing margin. |
| US08143655B2 |
Trench schottky barrier diode with differential oxide thickness
A fabrication process for a trench Schottky diode with differential oxide thickness within the trenches includes forming a first nitride layer on a substrate surface and subsequently forming a plurality of trenches in the substrate including, possibly, a termination trench. Following a sacrificial oxide layer formation and removal, sidewall and bottom surfaces of the trenches are oxidized. A second nitride layer is then applied to the substrate and etched such that the second nitride layer covers the oxide layer on the trench sidewalls but exposes the oxide layer on the trench bottom surfaces. The trench bottom surfaces are then re-oxidized and the remaining second nitride layer then removed from the sidewalls, resulting in an oxide layer of varying thickness being formed on the sidewall and bottom surfaces of each trench. The trenches are then filled with a P type polysilicon, the first nitride layer removed, and a Schottky barrier metal applied to the substrate surface. |
| US08143647B2 |
Relaxed InGaN/AlGaN templates
A relaxed InGaN template employs a GaN or InGaN nucleation layer grown at low temperatures on a conventional base layer (e.g., sapphire). The nucleation layer is typically very rough and multi-crystalline. A single-crystal InGaN buffer layer is then grown at normal temperatures. Although not necessary, the buffer layer is typically undoped, and is usually grown at high pressures to encourage planarization and to improve surface smoothness. A subsequent n-doped cap layer can then be grown at low pressures to form the n-contact of a photonic or electronic device. In some cases, a wetting layer—typically low temperature AlN—is grown prior to the nucleation layer. Other templates, such as AlGaN on Si or SiC, are also produced using the method of the present invention. |
| US08143646B2 |
Stacking fault and twin blocking barrier for integrating III-V on Si
A stacking fault and twin blocking barrier for forming a III-V device layer on a silicon substrate and the method of manufacture is described. Embodiments of the present invention enable III-V InSb device layers with defect densities below 1×108 cm−2 to be formed on silicon substrates. In an embodiment of the present invention, a buffer layer is positioned between a III-V device layer and a silicon substrate to glide dislocations. In an embodiment of the present invention, GaSb buffer layer is selected on the basis of lattice constant, band gap, and melting point to prevent many lattice defects from propagating out of the buffer into the III-V device layer. In a specific embodiment, a III-V InSb device layer is formed directly on the GaSb buffer. |
| US08143644B2 |
Bipolar device compatible with CMOS process technology
A bipolar device includes: an emitter of a first polarity type constructed on a semiconductor substrate; a collector of the first polarity type constructed on the semiconductor substrate; a gate pattern in a mesh configuration defining the emitter and the collector; an intrinsic base of a second polarity type underlying the gate pattern; and an extrinsic base constructed atop the gate pattern and coupled with the intrinsic base, for functioning together with the intrinsic base as a base of the bipolar device. |
| US08143643B2 |
Light device and fabrication method thereof
The present invention discloses a light device and a fabrication method thereof. An object of the present invention is to provide the light device and the fabrication method thereof an electric/thermal/structural stability is obtained, and a P-type electrode and an N-type electrode can be simultaneously formed. In order to achieve the above object, the inventive light device includes: a GaN-based layer; a high concentration GaN-based layer formed on the GaN-based layer; a first metal-Ga compound layer formed on the high concentration GaN-based layer; a first metal layer formed on the first metal-Ga compound layer; a third metal-Al compound layer formed on the first metal layer; and a conductive oxidation preventive layer formed on the third metal-Al compound layer. |
| US08143641B2 |
Integrated-type LED and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides an integrated-type LED and method for manufacturing the same. This integrated-type LED comprises a base board which having a preplaced circuit and at least one LED chip. P electrode and N electrode of the LED chip are respectively connected, conducting and fixing on the base board; The manufacturing method is a) making and arranging circuit on the base board, b) installing at least one LED chip on the base board, aligned P electrode and N electrode of LED chip with the corresponding circuit on the base board, c) directly connecting P electrode and N electrode of LED chip, conducting and fixing on the base board. The present invention has the advantage of good dispersing heat effect, low cost, high lifetime and high luminescent efficiency. |
| US08143637B2 |
Optically coupled device with an optical waveguide
An optically coupled device includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element which are electrically isolated from each other, and an optical waveguide allowing therethrough transmission of light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element, wherein the optical waveguide is covered with an encapsulation resin containing a light reflective inorganic particle which is typically composed of titanium oxide, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are respectively provided on a base (for example, package terminals), and the entire portion of the outer surface of the optical waveguide, brought into contact with none of the light emitting element, the light receiving element and the base, is covered with the encapsulation resin. |
| US08143631B2 |
Layered structure for use with high power light emitting diode systems
A layered structure for use with a high power light emitting diode system comprises an electrically insulating intermediate layer interconnecting a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer, the intermediate layer, and the bottom layer form an at least semi-flexible elongate member having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of positions spaced along the longitudinal axis. The at least semi-flexible elongate member is bendable laterally proximate the plurality of positions spaced along the longitudinal axis to a radius of at least 6 inches, twistable relative to its longitudinal axis up to 10 degrees per inch, and bendable to conform to localized heat sink surface flatness variations having a radius of at least 1 inch. The top layer is pre-populated with electrical components for high wattage, the electrical components including at least one high wattage light emitting diode at least 1.0 Watt per 0.8 inch squared. |
| US08143630B2 |
Zinc sulfide substrates for group III-nitride epitaxy and group III-nitride devices
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate which may be formed from a ZnS single crystal of wurtzite (2H) structure with a predetermined crystal orientation, and which has a first surface and a second surface. The structure includes a layer of a group III-nitride crystalline material deposited as an epitaxial layer on the first surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the group III-nitride deposit is epitaxially grown using a MOCVD (or MOVPE) technique or a HVPE technique or a combination thereof. There may be a mask and/or a buffer layer on the first surface and/or a protective layer on the second surface. |
| US08143629B2 |
Lighting system and lighting device
An object of the invention is to provide a lighting device which can suppress luminance nonuniformity in a light emitting region when the lighting device has large area. A layer including a light emitting material is formed between a first electrode and a second electrode, and a third electrode is formed to connect to the first electrode through an opening formed in the second electrode and the layer including a light emitting material. An effect of voltage drop due to relatively high resistivity of the first electrode can be reduced by electrically connecting the third electrode to the first electrode through the opening. |
| US08143622B2 |
Display panel
A display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate and a display medium between the first substrate and the second substrate is provided. The first substrate has a scan line, a data line and an active device electrically connected to the scan line and the data line. The second substrate has a common electrode layer, an insulting layer covering the common electrode layer, a pixel electrode on the insulating layer and a contact structure on the insulating layer. More specifically, the contact structure is electrically connected to the pixel structure and electrically connected to the active device on the first substrate. |
| US08143618B2 |
ZnO based semiconductor device and its manufacture method
A ZnO based semiconductor device includes: a lamination structure including a first semiconductor layer containing ZnO based semiconductor of a first conductivity type and a second semiconductor layer containing ZnO based semiconductor of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, formed above the first semiconductor layer and forming a pn junction together with the first semiconductor layer; and a Zn—Si—O layer containing compound of Zn, Si and O and covering a surface exposing the pn junction of the lamination structure. |
| US08143617B2 |
Semiconductor device, semiconductor device manufacturing method and image display device
A semiconductor device having semiconductor elements disposed with higher density and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. An image display device employing the semiconductor device is also provided. A semiconductor device comprises a resin film having a through hole; and a semiconductor element comprising a gate electrode disposed on the inner wall of the through hole, an insulating layer that covers the gate electrode within the through hole, an organic semiconductor disposed on the insulating layer within the through hole, and a source electrode and a drain electrode which are electrically connected to the organic semiconductor. |
| US08143615B2 |
Electron beam emitting device with a superlattice structure
A superlattice structure comprises a plurality of well layers made of first semiconductor and a plurality of barrier layers made of second semiconductor that has a band gap wider than that of the first semiconductor, wherein both layers are deposited alternately, and wherein a maximum thickness of each of the wall and barrier layers is such that a band gap between a lower limit of a mini band generated in a conduction band and an upper limit of a mini band generated in a valence band is a given width in the energy state of electron of the superlattice structure, and a minimum thickness of each of the wall and the barrier layers is such that a bandwidth of a mini band generated in the conduction band is a given width in the energy state of electron of the superlattice structure. |
| US08143611B2 |
Phase-change memory element, phase-change memory cell, vacuum processing apparatus, and phase-change memory element manufacturing method
A phase-change memory element includes a perovskite layer formed by a material having a perovskite structure, and a phase-change recording material layer which is formed on the perovskite layer, and changes the phase to a crystal state or amorphous state when supplied with an electric current via the perovskite layer. |
| US08143607B2 |
Reconfigurable radiation shield
The disclosed invention proposes a reconfigurable radiation shield that, compared to art static shields, improves the protected volume/weight ratio. The reconfigurable shield is applicable in the medical field, in the aerospace industry, in mobile radiological laboratories and decontamination vehicles, as well as in other fields where intensity-fluctuating radiation and variable direction radiation represent a hazard. |
| US08143606B2 |
Extreme ultra violet light source device
An extreme ultra violet light source device of a laser produced plasma type, in which charged particles such as ions emitted from plasma can be efficiently ejected. The extreme ultra violet light source device includes: a target nozzle that supplies a target material; a laser oscillator that applies a laser beam to the target material supplied from the target nozzle to generate plasma; collector optics that collects extreme ultra violet light radiated from the plasma; and a magnetic field forming unit that forms an asymmetric magnetic field in a position where the laser beam is applied to the target material. |
| US08143604B2 |
Insulator system for a terminal structure of an ion implantation system
An ion implantation system includes an ion source configured to provide an ion beam, a terminal structure defining a cavity, the ion source at least partially disposed within the cavity, and an insulator system. The insulator system is configured to electrically insulate the terminal structure and is configured to provide an effective dielectric strength greater than about 72 kilovolts (kV)/inch in a region proximate at least one exterior surface of the terminal structure. A gas box insulator system to electrically insulate a gas box of the ion implantation system is also provided. |
| US08143601B2 |
Nanoscale imaging via absorption modulation
An imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes a sample to be scanned by the imaging system. An absorbance modulation layer (AML) is positioned in close proximity to the sample and is physically separate from the sample. One or more sub-wavelength apertures are generated within the AML, whose size is determined by the material properties of the AML and the intensities of the illuminating wavelengths. A light source transmits an optical signal through the one or more sub-wavelength apertures generating optical near-fields that are collected for imaging. |
| US08143598B2 |
Display screen comprising photoluminescent material
Embodiments are disclosed herein related to the use of photoluminescent material to improve the presentation of images being displayed by a user interface device. For example, one embodiment provides a user interface device including a cuplet microstructure sheet that includes a plurality of cuplets. Each cuplet forms a light input opening and a light output opening. The light output opening has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the light input opening. The user interface device further includes a photoluminescent material that at least partially fills one or more cuplets of the plurality of cuplets. The user interface device further includes a light source configured to generate light that is directed to one or more selected cuplets of the plurality of cuplets. |
| US08143597B1 |
Remote sensing phase fluorimetry using mercury vapor lamp
An efficient and portable method for remote detection of a target mineral material through frequency domain fluorimetry, a detection technique that measures the time lag between absorption and emission of photons, thereby determining the lifetime of said target mineral material. As claimed and disclosed in the present invention, mercury vapor lamps, a common source of industrial facility lighting, emit radiation that overlaps the UV/blue absorption spectrum of many fluorophores and may be used as an efficient and portable excitation source for remote frequency domain fluorimetry. |
| US08143595B2 |
Ion implanter
An ion implanter includes an implantation chamber into which an ion beam is introduced, a holder for holding substrates on two columns of a first column and a second column in an X-direction, and a holder driving unit having a function of setting the holder in a horizontal state and then positioning the holder in a substrate exchange position and a function of setting the holder in a standing state and then driving reciprocally and linearly the holder along the X-direction in an irradiation area of the ion beam. Also, the ion implanter includes two load lock mechanisms, and two substrate carrying units equipped with arms, which carry the substrates between the load lock mechanisms and a substrate exchange position respectively, every two arms. |
| US08143593B2 |
Transmission electron microscope sample holder with optical features
A sample holder for holding a sample to be observed for research purposes, particularly in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), generally includes an external alignment part for directing a light beam in a predetermined beam direction, a sample holder body in optical communication with the external alignment part and a sample support member disposed at a distal end of the sample holder body opposite the external alignment part for holding a sample to be analyzed. The sample holder body defines an internal conduit for the light beam and the sample support member includes a light beam positioner for directing the light beam between the sample holder body and the sample held by the sample support member. |
| US08143590B2 |
Ion source apparatus
An ion source apparatus has an ion source assembly and a neutralizer. The ion source assembly has a body, a heat-dissipating device, an anode chunk and a gas distributor. The heat-dissipating device has a thermal transfer plate and a first thermal side sheet. The thermal transfer plate has a top, a protrusion and an annular disrupting recess. The protrusion is formed at the top of the thermal transfer plate. The disrupting recess is radially formed around the protrusion. The first thermal side sheet surrounds the protrusion. The gas distributor is mounted securely in the protrusion. Because the protrusion is located between the gas distributor and the first thermal side sheet and the disrupting recess is radially formed around the protrusion, accumulated ions, molecules and deposition film particles are longitudinally disrupted and do not form a short circuit between the gas distributor and the first thermal side sheet. |
| US08143585B2 |
Gamma-camera utilizing the interaction depth in a detector
A method for underwater packaging of radioactive materials includes creating a vacuum in a cavity of a cleaning device to automatically cause a portion of the cleaning device to move upward to actuate the cleaning device from an open position to a closed position; mounting the cleaning device inside a safe containment area of a transportation and/or storage device; placing the transportation and/or storage device in a pool after filling the safe containment area with water; loading a radioactive material into the safe containment area; closing the transportation and/or storage device using at least one cover; extracting the transportation and/or storage device from the pool; draining the water inside the safe containment area; and creating a pressure differential in the safe containment area to dry the safe containment area, wherein the pressure differential causes the cleaning device to automatically actuate from the closed position to the open position. |
| US08143581B2 |
Absorption biased NDIR gas sensing methodology
An NDIR gas sensor and methodology use an absorption bias between signal and reference outputs to determine sample concentration of a gas being measured. The absorption bias is created by using a signal channel in a sample chamber with a signal path length that is greater than a reference path length of a reference channel in the sample chamber while both the signal and reference detectors have an identical narrow band pass filter with the same Center Wavelength (“CWL”), Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) and transmittance efficiency at the CWL. Performance is improved when the reference detector and the signal detector share a common thermal platform that can also be shared by the sample chamber and the infrared source. |
| US08143579B2 |
Resistive material for bolometer, bolometer for infrared detector using the material, and method of manufacturing the bolometer
A resistive material for a bolometer, a bolometer for an infrared detector using the material, and a method of manufacturing the bolometer are provided. In the resistive material, at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen (N), oxygen (O) and germanium (Ge) is included in antimony (Sb). The resistive material has superior properties such as high temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), low resistivity, a low noise constant, and is easily formed in a thin film structure by sputtering typically used in a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process, so that it can be used as a resistor for the bolometer for an uncooled infrared detector, and thus provide the infrared detector with superior temperature precision. |
| US08143578B2 |
Ferroelectric radiation detector employing frequency modulated readout
A detector for electromagnetic radiation such as millimeter wave and infrared employs a ring-shaped ferroelectric element having a temperature affected by an absorber for the radiation. The dielectric constant of the ferroelectric material is a strong function of the temperature near its Curie temperature. The resonant frequency of the ferroelectric element is detected by applying a swept-frequency signal to the circuit and detecting the frequency which enhances the energy of the pulse. A two-dimensional camera for the radiation employs a two-dimensional array of these ferroelectric resonant circuits and a system for rapidly interrogating their resonant frequencies on a sequential basis. |
| US08143575B2 |
Detection of high Z materials using reference database
A method and system for high Z substance revealing using muon detection technique is presented. Natural muon coordinate and incidence angle are measured above and below the interrogated volume. The muon deviations after passing through the interrogated volume are compared with the reference deviations obtained for the same volume in absence of high Z material. A correlation between the actual data and reference data is calculated using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, though other approaches may apply. The correlation is used for the decision making on the presence of a nuclear substance inside the volume. |
| US08143574B2 |
Method and apparatus for compensating infrared sensor for temperature
To improve the precision of temperature compensation in an infrared sensor and obtain a sharp image, a correction is applied to a variation in output voltage (referred to as “background infrared radiation absorption intensity distribution” below) due to intensity distribution of background infrared radiation, which is light other than the incident infrared radiation on the infrared sensor, and the temperature characteristic of each individual bolometer constituting the infrared sensor. That is, the temperature of the infrared sensor is measured as a first temperature, a correction value for the output voltage of each bolometer is found by referring to a table, which indicates the background infrared radiation absorption intensity distribution versus the temperature of the infrared sensor, as well as the first temperature, and the variation in output voltage is corrected. |
| US08143567B2 |
Ambient light control system
An occupancy sensor is provided with a separable override unit which can selectively override the operation of the occupancy sensor at designated times and for selected time intervals. The occupancy sensor includes a light sensor for actuating the occupancy sensor and a light assembly when the ambient light is below a predetermined level and to deactivate the occupancy sensor when the ambient light is above a threshold level to prevent the light assembly from being actuated when the light level is sufficient to avoid the need for actuating the light assembly. The override unit is removably attached to the occupancy sensor and is provided with a light source, such as an LED. The override unit is coupled to the occupancy sensor to emit light to actuate the light sensor of the occupancy sensor, thereby controlling the operation of the occupancy sensor, such as by preventing the occupancy sensor from being actuated regardless of the light level in the surrounding areas. The occupancy sensor includes a cavity on a top surface for receiving the override unit. The light sensor of the occupancy sensor is positioned in the cavity. The LED on the override unit is on an end that is inserted into the cavity to align with the light sensor. A control unit is operatively connected to one or more override units for selectively controlling the normal operation of the occupancy sensor. |
| US08143566B2 |
Electron emission device of high current density and high operational frequency
An electric device operable with a THz-range frequency of the device output is presented. The device comprises a photocathode installed in either one of a diode, triode and tetrode configuration, and is exposed to illumination. In some embodiments of the invention, the device is configured as a diode and photomixing is used for illumination of the photocathode with light in the THz range, the diode converting this input light signal into an electrical output in the THz range, which operates a signal transmitter/receiver. In some other embodiments of the invention, the device is configured as a triode or tetrode, where the electrodes have small dimensions (about 1 micron or less) and are spaced from one another a distance not exceeding 1 micron. The photocathode is kept under certain illumination, and electrical signal applied to one of the electrodes results in the THz output at one of the other electrodes. |
| US08143565B2 |
Adjustable multimode lightfield imaging system having an actuator for changing position of a non-homogeneous filter module relative to an image-forming optical module
An adjustable multimode lightfield imaging system. A non-homogeneous filter module is positioned at the aperture plane of the lightfield imaging system and provides the multimode capability. The filter module can be moved relative to the imaging system, thus allowing adjustment of the multimode capability. |
| US08143560B2 |
Cooking apparatus
A cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking cavity, a door, an input selection device provided on an exterior of the door, and a control panel provided in the door and operably coupled to the input selection device. The input selection device may include buttons which are illuminated by a light source provided with the control panel. A guide may be positioned between the control panel and the input selection device to guide the light generated by the light source to the input selection device and concentrate light on the buttons to illuminate the buttons. In this manner, the cooking apparatus may include a selection device on its door including buttons that are effectively illuminated. |
| US08143556B2 |
Ceramic hob
A ceramic hob for a cooking appliance provided with a control device for controlling and/or adjusting a real temperature value on at least one part of a cooking plate arranged in a container for cooking by means of an associated heating device. The inventive ceramic hob comprises at least one temperature sensor for determining the real temperature value of a heatable part and at least one control element used for setting said temperature to a desired value, wherein a desired temperature value of the heatable part is assigned thereto. According to said invention several desired values can be assigned to one control element. |
| US08143554B2 |
Air warmer
A heating element includes a plurality of folded surfaces which can be resistively heating using electrical current. The heating element can advantageously function both as a heating source and a heat transfer device, as the need for separate fins or other heat dissipation members is eliminated. In some embodiments, the heating element can be included in a fluid heating system. The fluid heating system can include a fluid transfer device configured to deliver a volume or ambient air or other fluid through the heating element. As air moves past the heated folded surface of the heating element, it is heated. Heated air can then be discharged to one or more desired locations. |
| US08143549B2 |
Apparatus for butt-welding tube joints
Welding devices and methods of using the same are provided. The welding device includes a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a first semi-collar associated with a second semi-collar to form a collar. The collar is adapted to be disposed about a tube to be welded, and associated with an automatic voltage control assembly. The automatic voltage control assembly is mechanically associated with an electrode, and the automatic voltage control maintains the desired angular disposition of the electrode relative to the tube to be welded. |
| US08143548B2 |
Clamp for mixed mail sorter
A clamp is designed for accepting a mail piece at a loading station, and for releasably holding the mail piece while the mail piece is moved to an unloading station via a sorting system. The clamp is manipulated in the sorting system, instead of manipulating the mail piece held by the clamp. The clamp includes jaws for releasably holding the mail piece, plus a machine readable identifier, plus a mechanism for engaging with the sorting system. The clamp's identifier includes clamp information which uniquely identifies the clamp. The clamp information is for use by the sorting system, in combination with address information on the mail piece, to enable sortation of the mail piece held by the clamp. |
| US08143543B2 |
Actuating element
An actuating element for controlling an electronic device is providing. The actuating element including a front cover having an actuating surface to be actuated by a user and a support structure adapted to be coupled to the front cover. The support structure having guiding rips that guide the movement of the actuating element in a housing upon actuation of the actuating element. The front cover having centering shoulders that contact the guiding rips for positioning the support structure relative to the front cover when the front cover is coupled to the support structure. |
| US08143541B2 |
Movable contact assembly including light inlet having plural grooves, and switch using the same
A movable contact assembly includes a light guiding sheet which is light transmittable, and a movable contact provided on the light guiding sheet. The light guiding sheet has a portion having the movable contact provided thereon and a portion having plural grooves provided therein. The grooves constitute a light inlet for introducing light into the light guiding sheet. This movable contact assembly can illuminate a switch preferably with a simple structure, providing the switch with an easily operation. |
| US08143538B2 |
Multi-directional operating switch assembly
A multi-directional operating switch assembly includes: a recessed base; first and second switches disposed in the recessed base; a slider disposed in the recessed base and having a main part and a protrusion protruding from the main part, the slider being slidable in a first direction so as to actuate the first switch; an operating lever having a slot defined by a slot-defining wall, the protrusion of the slider extending into the slot, the operating lever being movable in the first direction to drive the slider to move in the first direction, and being further movable relative to the slider in a second direction to actuate the second switch; and an urging member disposed in the slot and abutting against the protrusion and the slot-defining wall. |
| US08143535B2 |
Electrical connector assembly with enhanced grounding
An electrical connector assembly having a snap fit adaptor with bent grounding tangs providing improved electrical contact and enhanced grounding. An electrical connector assembly is adapted to snap fit within a knockout hole of an electrical box or panel for making electrical connections. A snap fit adaptor placed on the outlet end of a connector body has a plurality of locking tangs and grounding tangs. The locking tangs hold the connector assembly onto the electrical box, and a distal trailing edge of the grounding tangs extends into the knockout hole in the electrical box and are curved or shaped to provide a large surface area contact improving electrical continuity and providing enhanced electrical grounding. A safer more reliable electrical grounding connecting is made easily and without tools. |
| US08143531B2 |
Electronic component mounting package
An electronic component mounting package includes a structure (coreless substrate) in which a plurality of wiring layers are stacked one on top of another with insulating layers interposed therebetween and are interconnected through via holes formed in the insulating layers. The entire surface of the coreless substrate, exclusive of pad portions defined at desired positions of the outermost wiring layers thereof, is covered with a molding resin. Further, an interposer is mounted on the side of the electronic component mounting surface of the coreless substrate, and the molding resin is partially filled into a gap between the coreless substrate and the interposer. |
| US08143530B1 |
Liquid crystal polymer layer for encapsulation and improved hermiticity of circuitized substrates
A substrate and method for making same for use in electronic packages having a core layer of copper-invar-copper (CIC) with a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) placed upon both sides of the CIC. A layer of etched copper foil is placed on the outer surface of each PTFE layer. A layer of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is placed on both layers of etched copper foil. An external layer of etched copper foil is placed on the external surface of the LCP layers. |
| US08143527B2 |
Golden finger for flexible printed circuitboard
A golden finger for flexible printed circuitboard, comprises: a frame with a tail, being composed of a stiffening plate, a bottom substrate, a bottom copper layer, a cover layer, and a top copper layer while enabling the bottom copper layer to be formed with at least one first routing and at least one second routing, and enabling the top copper layer to be formed with at least one first pin and at least one second pin; at least one first via hole, each being filled with a conductive material and disposed at a position between its corresponding first pin and first routing for connecting the first pin to the first routing electrically; and at least one second via hole, each filled with a conductive material and being disposed at a position between the its corresponding second pin and second routing for connecting the second pin to the second routing electrically. |
| US08143523B2 |
Downhole cable with thermally conductive polymer composites
A cable for transmitting electricity for use with an electric submersible pump has a plurality of conductors for conducting electricity along the length of the cable. A first layer of insulation surrounds each of the conductors. A jacket, or second layer of insulation, surrounds all of the conductors and the first layer of insulation. Both the first layer of insulation and the jacket insulation are comprised of an polymeric compound. At least one of the insulation layers has filler material dispersed therein, the filler material having a higher level of thermal conductivity than the insulation layer it is contained in. |
| US08143520B2 |
Universal wall plate thermometer
A light switch cover assembly easily mounted over existing wall type light switches. The cover assembly includes a mounting bracket having an opening provided therethrough which is shapely designed and sizably configured for snug attachment of a bracket plate therein. The bracket plate includes an opening to allow the protruding rocker portion of a light switch to pass therethrough. The bracket plate further includes a plurality of apertures defined therethrough for receipt of mounting screws. A face plate is adapted for removable attachment to the mounting bracket in a snap-fit manner. The face plate includes an opening shapely designed and sizably configured to snugly accommodate a rocker plate therein. The face plate further includes an oblong opening providing a thermometer support enclosure within which a thermometer is swivelably secured. |
| US08143512B2 |
Junctions in substrate solar cells
The present invention discloses thin film photovoltaic devices comprising Group II-VI semiconductor layers with a substrate configuration having an interface layer between the absorber layer and the window layer to create improved junctions.The present invention also discloses methods for making and surface treatments for thin film photovoltaic devices comprising Group II-VI semiconductor layers with a substrate configuration to create devices with improved junctions. |
| US08143507B2 |
Adjusting device for snare drum
In combination with a snare drum having snare wires, a drum head and a side wall, slidable bands endwise connected with the wires, first adjustable mechanism connected with the a band end, and supported by the wall, second adjustable mechanism connected with another band end, and supported by said wall, whereby adjustment of either or both of the mechanism tensions at least one band, and said snare wires. |
| US08143503B1 |
Inbred corn line NPFX8213
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPFX8213, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPFX8213 with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPFX8213 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPFX8213 and plants produced according to these methods. |
| US08143500B1 |
Maize variety X5M902
A novel maize variety designated X5M902 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X5M902 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X5M902 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X5M902, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X5M902. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X5M902 and to the maize varieties derived by the use of those methods. |
| US08143495B2 |
Soybean cultivar 93334045
A soybean cultivar designated 93334045 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 93334045, to the plants of soybean 93334045, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 93334045, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 93334045 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 93334045, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 93334045, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 93334045 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08143493B1 |
Soybean cultivar S07-BA045418
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety S07-BA045418 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety S07-BA045418 and its progeny, and methods of making S07-BA045418. |
| US08143490B1 |
Soybean variety XB38Z09
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB38Z09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB38Z09, to the plants of soybean XB38Z09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB38Z09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB38Z09 with another soybean plant, using XB38Z09 as either the male or the female parent. |
| US08143489B1 |
Soybean variety XB36M09
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB36M09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB36M09, to the plants of soybean XB36M09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB36M09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB36M09 with another soybean plant, using XB36M09 as either the male or the female parent. |
| US08143486B2 |
Delta-5 desaturase and uses thereof
The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “Δ5-desaturase”) and at carbon 6 (i.e., “Δ6-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, Δ5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-6 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of linoleic (LA) to γ-linolenic acid (GLA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics. |
| US08143485B2 |
FAD-2 mutants and high oleic plants
The present invention relates to plants, seeds and products derived thereof, in particular to Brassica plants, seeds products derived thereof, that have mutant sequences conferring high oleic acid profile on the seed oil. More particularly, the invention relates to mutant delta-12 fatty acid desaturase sequences, also referred to herein as FAD2 sequences, —in-such-plants which confer high oleic acid profile on the seed oil. |
| US08143481B2 |
Brassica indehiscent1 sequences
The present application provides Brassica INDEHISCENTI (BIND) sequences. |
| US08143475B2 |
Soybean promoter LTP4 and flower-preferred expression thereof in transgenic plants
The promoter of a soybean lipid transfer protein LTP4 and fragments thereof and their use in promoting the expression of one or more heterologous nucleic acid fragments in plants are described. |
| US08143472B1 |
Absorbent structure in an absorbent article and a method of producing it
Absorbent structure in an absorbent article such as a diaper, pant diaper, incontinence guard, sanitary napkin, wound dressing, bed protection etc. and comprising a compressed foam material (1) which expands upon wetting, at which the foam material (1) comprises at least two integrated layers (2,3,4) having different mean pore sizes. |
| US08143468B2 |
Process for preparing 3-methylbut-1-ene
The present invention relates to the preparation of 3-methylbut-1-ene from a hydrocarbon stream I comprising isobutene by feeding a hydrocarbon stream II which comprises at least 70% by mass of isobutene in relation to the olefins present in the hydrocarbon stream and which has been obtained from hydrocarbon stream I or is identical to it to a process step for hydroformylation in which isobutene is hydroformylated in the presence of a rhodium catalyst, hydrogenating the aldehyde obtained from the hydroformylation of isobutene to the corresponding alcohol and preparing 3-methylbut-1-ene by water elimination from the alcohol. |
| US08143467B2 |
Process for synthetic lubricant production
A process for the preparation of oligomeric poly alpha-olefins comprises oligomerizing low molecular weight PAO in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst under oligomerization conditions. The low molecular weight PAOs used as a feed or feed component of the present process are the light olefinic by-product fraction including the dimers and light fractions from the metallocene-catalyzed PAO oligomerization process. |
| US08143466B2 |
Process for benzene removal from gasoline
A process for the reduction of benzene in a gasoline stream, the process including: feeding a gasoline fraction including benzene and C6+ hydrocarbons and at least one of an alcohol and an ether to a catalytic distillation column comprising at least one reaction zone containing an alkylation catalyst, wherein the at least one reaction zone is above a gasoline fraction feed location; concurrently in the catalytic distillation column: separating the C6 hydrocarbons from C7+ hydrocarbons, wherein the C6 hydrocarbons and benzene distill upward into the at least one reaction zone; contacting benzene and the at least one of an alcohol and an ether in the at least one reaction zone in the presence of the alkylation catalyst to convert at least a portion of the benzene and alcohol/ether to an alkylate; recovering an overheads fraction including C6 hydrocarbons, any unreacted alcohol and ether, and water; and recovering a bottoms fraction including C7+ hydrocarbons and the alkylate. |
| US08143464B2 |
Method for making renewable fuels
Multiple catalytic processing stations enable a method for producing volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to useful renewable fuel components based on input feedstock and desired outputs. |
| US08143463B2 |
Process for the preparation of delmopinol and derivatives thereof
A process for the preparation of delmopinol (3-(4-propylheptyl)-4-morpholinethanol) or a derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof, including a hydrate, comprises reacting oxazolidin [2,3-c]morpholine and a Grignard reagent, and optionally converting the delmopinol (or derivative) free base into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The oxazolidin [2,3-c]morpholine and the Grignard reagent are useful as intermediates in the production process. |
| US08143461B2 |
Maleic anhydride catalyst and method for its preparation
The present invention provides a process for producing a vanadium/phosphorus oxide catalyst by (i) preparing a catalyst precursor powder containing vanadium, phosphorus and an optional promoter element; (ii) converting the catalyst precursor powder into an activated catalyst by heat treatment; (iii) and compressing the activated catalyst into a desired shape to form the vanadium/phosphorus oxide catalyst. The vanadium/phosphorus oxide catalyst may be used in the production of maleic anhydride by the catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbon feed streams. |
| US08143460B2 |
Apparatus and method for increasing alcohol yield from grain
A method comprising applying a controlled flow cavitation apparatus to an alcohol production process in order to increase alcohol yield. A grain-based liquid medium comprising grain and a liquid carrier can be passed through a controlled flow cavitation apparatus at a velocity capable of generating a hydrodynamic cavitation zone where the grain size can be reduced. One or more controlled flow cavitation apparatuses can be applied at various points of an alcohol production process, such as a starch-to-ethanol production process. |
| US08143459B2 |
Plasticiser alcohol and production improvement
Oxo-alcohols in the plasticizer range typically contain small amounts of methyl esters having the same alkyl chain as the alcohol itself. These methyl esters are causing product quality problems and environmental problems because of transesterification in the esterification process where the plasticizer ester derivatives are produced. A process using controlled oxonation and hydrogenation conditions is disclosed for the production of alcohols containing low amounts of methyl esters. Plasticizer esters with low amounts of aliphatic di-alkyl esters are also disclosed. |
| US08143457B2 |
Process of refining C6-C16 aliphatic diols
A process of refining a crude C6-C16 aliphatic diol, preferably, a C6-C16 monocyclic aliphatic diol, more preferably, an isomeric mixture of cis/trans-(1,3)(1,4)-cyclohexanedimethanol, containing in addition to the diol one or more impurities selected from phenols, and aliphatic mono-ols, esters, carboxylic acids, and hemiacetals, and mixtures thereof. The refining process involves distilling the crude C6-C16 aliphatic diol in the presence of an alkali or alkaline earth metal compound, preferably, an excess thereof relative to acid equivalents present in the diol. |
| US08143456B2 |
Method of reducing methanol in recycle streams in bisphenol-A production process
Methods for removing methanol from acetone recycle streams during bisphenol-A production, thereby avoiding the deactivation of catalyst, by distilling an acetone-methanol-water comprising mixture such that acetone is taken overhead in form of a relatively pure distillate, and substantial portions of the methanol and the water are leaving with the bottom product. |
| US08143454B2 |
Method for synthesis of acrolein from glycerol
The invention provides a technology for producing acrolein from glycerol while maintaining high reagent partial pressures, which leads to higher yield. The invention more particularly relates to a method for producing acrolein from glycerol that comprises the intermediate step of forming glycerol and acrolein cyclic acetals. |
| US08143443B2 |
Process for preparing gabapentin
A process for preparing gabapentin of formula 1, which comprises Formula (I) converting 1-allyl-cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde into 1-allyl-cyclohexanecarbonitrile; ozonizing 1-allyl-cyclohexanecarbonitrile to obtain 1-cyano-cyclohexaneacetaldehyde; acetalizing 1-cyano-cyclohexaneacetaldehyde with a suitable acetalizing agent to give the corresponding acetal and converting the latter into gabapentin. |
| US08143437B2 |
Methods for synthesis of prodrugs from 1-acyl-alkyl derivatives and compositions thereof
The present invention provides a method for synthesizing 1-(acyloxy)-alkyl derivatives from 1-acyl-alkyl derivatives, which typically proceeds stereospecifically, in high yield, does not require the use of activated intermediates and/or toxic compounds and is readily amendable to scale-up. The current invention also provides 1-acyl-alkyl derivatives of known drug components and methods for synthesizing these 1-acyl-alkyl derivatives. |
| US08143436B2 |
Process for preparing alkyl alkoxybenzoates in one step
Process for preparing a compound of the formula by contacting, in an organic solvent in the presence of an aqueous solution of a base, hydroxy benzoic acid with a compound of the formula RnX, wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 C-atoms and X is an acid rest group having a valence n, wherein the organic solvent is an alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and the reaction is carried out at a pH of 8-10. |
| US08143432B2 |
Process for regioselective mono-tosylation of diols
The present invention concerns the use of dibutyl tin oxide for regioselective catalytic diol mono-tosylation at a concentration lower than 2 mol %. The present invention also concerns the use of a generic acetal compound of Formula (Ic) in a catalytic process for regioselective diol mono-tosylation, wherein Y is selected from the group of C1-6alkyl, phenyl and benzyl. The concentration of the generic acetal compound of Formula (Ic) is less than about 2 mol %, preferably ranges between about 2 mol % and about 0.0005 mol %, preferably ranges between about 0.1 mol % and about 0.005 mol %. |
| US08143429B2 |
Process for producing organic transition metal complex compound, metathesis catalyst produced by using the same, ring-opening metathesis polymer obtainable with the metathesis catalyst, and process for producing the polymer
A process for synthesizing an organic transition metal complex compound with an atom group having an electron-donor ability, in an industrially and economically advantageous manner, without a compound having a proton-donor ability being a metal salt, and a metathesis catalyst produced with the use of the above process, are provided. A process for producing an organic transition metal complex compound in which an atom group having an electron-withdrawing ability can be converted into an atom group having a stronger electron-donor ability, by contacting an compound having a proton-donor ability with the organic transition metal complex compound with an atom group having an electron-withdrawing ability, in the presence of an basic compound, and a metathesis catalyst of which the content of an alkali metal is reduced, and which is obtainable with the use of the above process, are provided. |
| US08143428B2 |
Heteroaryl sulfones and sulfonamides and therapeutic uses thereof
Compounds of Formula I: wherein R1, R2, M, Q and n are as defined herein, are useful as antiproliferative agents including, for example, as anticancer agents. |
| US08143424B2 |
Thyroid like compounds
A novel thyroid like compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Z are as defined in the specification, method for its preparation, composition and use thereof. Further, compounds of formula (I) has significantly low binding affinity to thyroid receptors and thus considerably devoid of thyrotoxic effects. The invention also relates to the use of the compound of formula (I) for the preparation of a medicament for treating various disease conditions including obesity, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and co-morbidities associated with metabolic syndrome. |
| US08143422B2 |
Benzimidazole derivatives
The invention is concerned with novel benzimidazole derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1 to R6 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds can be used as medicaments. |
| US08143417B2 |
Method for the preparation of zolmitriptan
In the preparation of zolmitriptan of formula III the reduction of the diazonium salt to (5)-4-(4-hydrazinobenzyl)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one of formula IV is performed in a more concentrated mixture and by the effect on an alkali metal disulphite, preferably sodium disulphite. A zolmitriptan toluene solvate, characterized by a toluene content of 9 to 14% by weight according to the gas chromatography determination and by a maximum of the corresponding mass loss at temperatures of about 111° C. in the gravimetric analysis record. A zolmitriptan toluene solvate, showing strong Raman bands at the wave numbers of 1443 and 1354 cm−1, characteristic for the crystal lattice of zolmitriptan with built-in toluene, and further marked bands at 1004 and 786 cm−1, characteristic for toluene. |
| US08143408B2 |
N-(8-heteroaryltetrahydronaphtalene-2yl) or N-(5-heteroarylchromane-3-yl) carboxamide derivatives for the treatment of pain
The present invention relates to new compounds of formula (I) and to pharmaceutical composition containing said compounds and to the use of said compounds in therapy. The present invention further relates to processes for the preparation of said compounds and to new intermediates useful in the preparation thereof. |
| US08143405B2 |
Piperidine and pyrrolidine beta-secretase inhibitors for the treatment of alzheimer's disease
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) which are inhibitors of the beta-secretase enzyme and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the treatment of such diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved. |
| US08143404B2 |
Nitrogenous heterocylic derivative and medicine containing the same as an active ingredient
A compound represented by formula (I), a salt thereof, an N-oxide thereof, a solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof: (wherein each symbol is as defined in the description.) The compounds represented by formula (I) has the antagonistic activity against CCR5, so they are useful in preventing and/or treating CCR5-related diseases, for example, various inflammatory diseases (asthma, nephritis, nephropathy, hepatitis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, etc.), immunological diseases (autoimmune diseases, rejection in organ transplantation (rejection of graft of solid organ, rejection of graft of pancreatic islet cells in therapy for diabetes, graft-versus-host disease, etc.), immunosuppression, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, etc.), infectious diseases (infection with human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, infection with RSV, etc.), allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, urticaria, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis, etc.), cardiovascular diseases (arteriosclerosis, ischemic reperfusion injury, etc.), acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock accompanying bacterial infection, diabetes, cancer metastasis and so on. |
| US08143398B1 |
Activity of new N-acylated ciprofloxacin derivatives against faculative intracellular bacteria
Bartonella species are facultative intracellular pathogens responsible for a range of diseases in animals and in humans. A selection of N-acyl ciprofloxacin analogues, chemically synthesized from ciprofloxacin, have been tested in vitro for activity against Bartonella species as models for therapeutic development. Nine Bartonella strains, including five of B. henselae, two of B. quintana, and one each of B. elizabethae and B. vinsonii, have been tested for susceptibility to different N-acyl ciprofloxacin derivatives. Several techniques have been used to test the in vitro antibacterial activity of the derivatives. Seven of them, labeled RC4-125, RC4-143, RC4-147, RC5-28, RC5-29, RC5-32 and RC5-69 showed significant intracellular anti-Bartonella activity. These synthetically derived N-acyl ciprofloxacin derivatives may be useful in the therapeutic treatment of infections caused by Bartonella. |
| US08143397B2 |
Process for preparing voriconazole, new polymorphic form of intermediate thereof, and uses thereof
The present invention relates to an improved process for preparation of Voriconazole and Voriconazole (1R)-(−)-10-camphorsulfonate. |
| US08143392B2 |
Method for the extraction of starch from corn
A method of extracting starch from corn. The method comprises steeping ground corn in a mixture of ammonium hydroxide and water, for a period of between 45 minutes and 20 hours wherein the mixture has a pH level between about 11.3 and 11.4. This method provides the advantage of extracting starch from corn with higher yields in less time. |
| US08143391B2 |
Process for producing water-soluble hyaluronic acid modification
The present invention provides a water-soluble modified HA practically used as a drug carrier and a production method thereof. The present invention provides: a water-soluble modified hyaluronic acid, the residence time in blood of which is elongated to a practical level, which is produced by introducing a substituent into the carboxy group of the glucuronic acid of hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof, via an amide bond, at a lower limit of an introduction ratio of 5 mole % or more, using a BOP condensing agent in an aprotic polar solvent; and a production method thereof. Moreover, by cross-linking the modified hyaluronic acid, the present invention provides a hyaluronic acid gel capable of extremely long drug sustained-release even at the same cross-linking functional group introduction ratio as that of the conventionally known gel. |
| US08143389B2 |
Inhibiton of metallo-β-lactamase by double-stranded DNA
Compositions and methods for identifying double stranded DNA molecules that bind with high affinity to metallo-β-lactamase. Methods for inhibiting the activities of the metallo-β-lactamase in bacteria by double stranded DNA molecules. |
| US08143388B2 |
Method and test kit for quantitative determination of polynucleotides in a mixture
The invention relates to a method and test kit for quantitative determination of the amounts or relative proportions of polynucleotides in a mixture. The invention enables assessment of dynamic variations in a mixed population of organisms using affinity aided solution hybridization. The test kit comprises organized pools of polynucleotide probes having approximately the same number of nucleotides, which are distinguishable using resolution enabling tags providing the probes with different sizes. The resolution enabling tags may simultaneously act as tracer, affinity or primer tags. The probes are allowed to hybridize with affinity tagged analyte polynucleotides. The result is hybrids, recoverable on separation aiding tools provided with counterparts of the affinity tag. After the quantitative release of the probes, the individual probes can be amplified and recorded. The method and test kit are useful for determining hygienic and epidemiologic situations and evaluating the effect of antibiotic treatment and sanitary measures. |
| US08143385B2 |
Nucleic acids coding for antibodies against human IL-21 receptor and uses therefor
The present application provides human antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R). The antibodies can act as antagonists of IL-21R activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-21R in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in diagnosing, treating or preventing inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders. |
| US08143382B2 |
Pyrazole disazo dye and ink containing the dye
The invention provides a specific pyrazole disazo dye which is a yellow dye having excellent solubility in nonpolar solvents, in particular, hydrocarbon solvents, and having a high extinction coefficient. The dye preferably is preferably a pyrazole disazo dye represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein R1 represents a C2-C10 alkyl group; R2 represents a C3-C10 alkyl group; the six-membered ring A represents a phenyl group which may have a substituent; and the six-membered ring B represents a phenylene group which may have a substituent). |
| US08143376B2 |
High affinity NY-ESO T cell receptor
The present invention provides T cell receptors (TCRs) having the property of binding to SLLMWITQC-HLA-A*0201, the SLLMWITQC (SEQ ID NO:126) peptide being derived from the NY-ESO-1 protein which is expressed by a range of tumour cells. The TCRs have a KD for the said peptide-HLA complex of less than or equal to 1 μM and/or have an off-rate (koff) of 1×10−3 S−1 or slower. |
| US08143375B2 |
Aziridine aldehydes, aziridine-conjugated amino derivatives, aziridine-conjugated biomolecules and processes for their preparation
The present invention relates to unprotected amino aldehydes and applications for same. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel aziridine aldehydes and processes for preparing these novel compounds. The invention also relates to aziridine-conjugated amino derivatives, and processes for preparing the same. Pentacyclic compounds may be prepared using the aziridine aldehydes of the present invention, and the invention relates to these compounds and the processes by which they are made. The invention also relates to aziridine-conjugated bioactive molecules, such as amino acids and peptides, and processes for preparing such compounds. |
| US08143366B2 |
Aryl carbamate oligomers for hydrolyzable prodrugs and prodrugs comprising same
The present invention provides a compound having a formula: where R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, CH2(OC2H4)OCH3, and —(OC2H4)OCH3; n is 0-4; Olig is an oligomer having a formula: -L-O-PAGR.R2]q where L is a optional linker moiety selected from the group consisting of —CH2O—, —CH2OX—, —OX—, —C(O)—, —C(O)X, —NH—, —NHC(O)—, —XNHC(O)—, —NHC(O)X—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)NHX—, and where X is alkyl1-6 or is not present, Y is N or O or is not present, and R3 is alkyl1-6; PAG is a linear or branched polyalkylene glycol moiety; R2 is an alkyl1-22 capping moiety if X is present or alkyl2-22 if X is not present; and q is a number from 1 to the maximum number of branches on PAG; and m is 1-5. |
| US08143362B2 |
Composition containing unsaturated silicone compounds, dental materials containing them and use thereof
The invention relates to a curable composition comprising addition curable silicone component (A) having a linear siloxane backbone at least one unsaturated, non-activated side group pendant from the Si atom or atoms in the backbone, component (A) having an equivalent weight in the range of about 68 to about 1000, crosslinker component (B) comprising at least 2 SiH groups, catalyst component (C) being able to catalyse the reaction between component (A) and component (B), filler component (D), wherein the equivalent weight is defined as (molecular weight of the molecule)/(number of unsaturations in the molecule). |
| US08143361B2 |
EVM in solar modules
The present invention relates to a solar module containing at least one layer made up of at least one α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer which has a vinyl acetate content of ≧40% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer, and has been prepared by a solution polymerization process at a pressure of from 100 to 700 bar, the use of the α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer mentioned in solar modules, the use of the solar module of the invention for stationary or mobile power generation and also a solar power plant containing at least one solar module according to the invention. |
| US08143359B2 |
Organic silicone compound
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an organic silicon compound which has a vinyl group more reactive than those of the conventional organic silicon compounds and can be bonded with another compound.The present organic silicon compound is represented by the following formula (1), wherein R1 is, independently of each other, a vinyl group or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkylene group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and R3 is, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms. |
| US08143357B2 |
Phosphorus-containing compounds useful for making halogen-free, ignition-resistant polymers
Phosphorus-containing compounds useful for flame retardant epoxy resins are disclosed. The flame retardant epoxy resins may be used to make electrical laminates. This invention is particularly useful in end use applications in which a low bromine or low halogen content is required or desired. |
| US08143355B2 |
Polymer compound and method of synthesizing the same
Provided is a polymer compound having a furan ring having a degree of polymerization of 185 or more and 600 or less. This polymer compound has excellent mechanical strength (flexural strength). |
| US08143353B2 |
Polymerization process and adhesives therefrom
This invention relates to a propylene polymer comprising a component having a crystallinity of 10% or less and a component having a crystallinity of 20% or more, said propylene polymer having: a) a melting point of X ° C. or more where X=−0.0038(Tp)2+0.36(Tp)+150, where Tp is the temperature of polymerization in ° C.; b) an Mw of 10,000 g/mol or more; c) a heat of fusion of from 1-70 J/g; d) Stereodefects per 10,000 monomer units of Y or less where Y=2.35(Tp)−100 (where Tp is the temperature of polymerization in ° C.) for the portion of the blend that is insoluble in hexane at 23° C.; e) a dot T-Peel on Kraft paper of 1 N or more; and f) a branching factor of 0.98 or less, where the branching factor is the ratio of g′ measured at Mz to g′ measured at Mw, and process to produce such polymers. |
| US08143348B2 |
Waterborne coating compositions, related methods and coated substrates
Disclosed are coating compositions that include a continuous phase that includes water and a dispersed phase that includes a microgel having a mean particle size of greater than 50 nanometers. The microgel is formed from reactants selected so as to provide a copolymer having a certain calculated Tg and includes a cycloaliphatic (meth)acrylate. |
| US08143345B2 |
Water dispersible, hydroxyl-terminated, fluorinated polyurethanes and method of preparing the same
Fluorinated polyurethanes and methods of making the same are provided. The fluorinated polyurethanes are useful for making polyurethane coating compositions for use in aerospace and other applications. The method includes a “split process” by which a hydroxypolyalkylenoxy derivative of a perfluoropolyoxyalkane is separately reacted with isocyanate to produce an isocyanate-terminated compound. The isocyanate-terminated compound is then reacted with an emulsifier to produce an acid- and hydroxyl-functional compound. The acid- and hydroxyl-functional compound is then reacted with isocyanate to form an acid-functional, isocyanate-terminated compound. The acid-functional, isocyanate-terminated compound is then reacted with at least one polyol to produce a higher molecular weight, acid- and hydroxyl-functional compound. Finally, the acid functional groups of the high molecular weight, acid- and hydroxyl-functional compound are neutralized to form a fluoro-urethane salt which is dispersed in water. The resulting fluorinated polyurethane can be used to prepare a polyurethane coating composition. |
| US08143341B2 |
Aqueous coating compositions
An aqueous coating composition containing a colorant, a film-forming polymer and a curing agent. The composition further comprises an adjuvant resin having two or more functional groups reactive with the curing agent and positioned between the functional groups a moiety containing at least 10 contiguous carbon atoms. |
| US08143337B1 |
Method of preparing a composite with disperse long fibers and nanoparticles
A composite material having polymeric resin with disperse phases of reinforcing fibers and nanoparticle materials and its manufacture is disclosed herein. The nanoparticles may be bound together and added to the polymeric resin as microscale aggregations, and then unbound to create a disperse phase of nanoparticles in the resin. In other embodiments, the nanoparticles may be bound to a substrate, such as long fibers, and added to a polymeric resin. The nanoparticles are then unbound from the substrate and dispersed throughout the polymeric resin. The polymeric resin may have multiple components where one component may control the dispersion of the nanoparticles. |
| US08143327B2 |
Method for producing core-shell fine particle and method for producing intermediate which is used for production of the core-shell fine particle
A core-shell fine particle (10) is produced as follows. First of all, a monomer mixture containing 15-99% by mass of a crosslinkable monomer and 1-85% by mass of a monomer having an ATRP initiating group is adsorbed into an organic monodispersed seed particle. Next, the monomer mixture is polymerized by a polymerization initiator, thereby forming a core layer composed of a monodispersed crosslinked fine particle (11) containing an ATRP initiating group (12). A shell layer (13) is then formed by graft polymerizing a monomer onto the thus-obtained core layer. |
| US08143323B2 |
Polyurethane foam for vehicle and method for manufacturing the same
A polyurethane foam for vehicles is obtained by reaction, foaming, and curing of a polyurethane-foam raw material comprising polyol, polyisocyanate, a blowing agent, and a catalyst, and is used for vehicle parts. The foam raw material comprises expanded graphite and an inorganic compound hydrate. The polyol preferably comprises polymeric polyol in which a polyether polyol is graft-polymerized with a vinyl monomer, polyether polyol having a mass average molecular weight of from 400 to 1,000, in which a polyhydric alcohol is addition-polymerized with an alkylene oxide, and polyether polyol having a mass average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 4,000 in which a polyhydric alcohol is addition-polymerized with an alkylene oxide. |
| US08143322B2 |
Pump and pumping system for microfluidic lab-on-a-chip using porous structure and fabricating method thereof
The present invention relates to a pump and pumping system for a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip, and a fabricating method thereof. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fabricating a pump for microfluidic lab-on-a-chips, the method including: infiltrating PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) solution into a porous lump of water-soluble material; performing soft baking of the porous lump of water-soluble material containing the PDMS solution; and dissolving the porous lump of water-soluble material via water to obtain a porous PDMS structure. |
| US08143320B2 |
Methanol production process and system
A process and a system are disclosed for producing methanol from synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is a stream containing H2, CO, and CO2 that is created using a nitrogen containing oxidant stream, such as air. The synthesis gas is then reacted through a conventional reactor system to create methanol. Unreacted synthesis gas is recycled back through the reactor system. The disclosed methanol production process can be mounted and operated on a seagoing vessel. |
| US08143318B2 |
Ultrasonic treatment chamber for preparing emulsions
An ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which at least two separate phases can be mixed to prepare an emulsion is disclosed. Specifically, at least one phase is a dispersed phase and one phase in a continuous phase. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the phases flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the phases within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other. The horn and agitating members are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating members relative to the horn at the predetermined frequency and to operate in an ultrasonic cavitation mode of the agitating members corresponding to the predetermined frequency and the phases being mixed in the chamber. |
| US08143308B2 |
Synthesis of oligo/poly(catechins) and methods of use
A method for synthesizing a biocompatible, water-soluble oligo/polyflavanoid, includes polymerizing an optionally substituted flavanoid with a polymerization agent in the presence of a biocompatible polymerization solubilizer, thereby producing the biocompatible, soluble oligo/polyflavanoid. Also included is a biocompatible, soluble, oligo/polyflavanoid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or complex thereof. Also included are methods of treating a subject for cancer, cardiac damage, viral infection, and obesity. |
| US08143302B2 |
Methods and compositions for diagnostic and therapeutic targeting of COX-2
The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions that selectively bind cyclooxygenase-2 and comprise a therapeutic and/or diagnostic moiety. Also provided are methods for using the disclosed compositions for diagnosing (i.e., by imaging) a target cell and/or treating a disorder associated with a cyclooxygenase-2 biological activity. |
| US08143295B2 |
Compounds having activity in correcting mutant-CFTR processing and uses thereof
The invention provides compositions, pharmaceutical preparations and methods for correcting cellular processing (e.g., folding, trafficking, or post-translational modification) of a mutant-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (e.g., ΔF508 CFTR) that are useful for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). The compositions and pharmaceutical preparations of the invention may comprise one or more aminobenzothiazole-containing compounds, aminoarylthiazole-containing compounds, quinazolinylaminopyrimidinone-containing compounds, bisaminomethylbithiazole-containing compounds, or phenylaminoquino-line-containing compounds of the invention, or an analog or derivative thereof. |
| US08143294B2 |
2-sulfanyl-substituted imidazole derivatives and their use as cytokine inhibitors
The invention relates to 2-thio-substituted imidazole derivatives of the Formula I, and to methods of use thereof. |
| US08143291B2 |
Indole compounds bearing aryl or heteroaryl groups having sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor biological activity
The invention provides well-defined aryl and/or heteroaryl substituted indoles that are useful as sphingosine-1-phosphate agonists or antagonists. As such, the compounds described herein are useful in treating a wide variety of disorders associated with modulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors. |
| US08143290B2 |
Chemical compounds 572
Compounds of formula (I): The present invention relates to novel indazolyl ester or amide derivatives, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives, to processes for preparing such novel derivatives and to the use of such derivatives as medicaments. |
| US08143289B2 |
Aminotetrahydropyrans as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of diabetes
The present invention is directed to novel substituted aminotetrahydropyrans of structural formula I which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved. |
| US08143288B2 |
Inhibitors of HCV replication
Compounds having the structure of formula I are described. The compounds can inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, and in particular can inhibit the function of the HCV NS5A protein. |
| US08143287B2 |
Thrombopoietin mimetics
The invention relates to compounds and their use in the treatment of thrombocytopenia resulting from diseases or conditions such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, cancer chemotherapy, surgery, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, radiation injury or treatment, chronic viral infection, and pancytopenia. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and compositions of the invention as well as methods for treating such diseases or conditions in a mammal, including a human, by administering to such mammal an effective amount of a selected thrombopoietin receptor agonist. |
| US08143284B2 |
Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitors
Compounds which inhibit the activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases using the compounds is disclosed. |
| US08143281B2 |
Indoles
The present invention is concerned with novel indol-3-yl-carbonyl-piperidine-benzopyrrolone, -benzoxazolone and -benzotriazole derivatives as V1a receptor antagonists, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use for the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders and other diseases. In particular, the present invention is concerned with compounds of formula (I) wherein X, Y and R1 to R10 are as described in the specification. |
| US08143275B2 |
Use of triazolopyrimidine derivatives as microbicides
Use of compounds of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description for protecting engineered materials. |
| US08143274B2 |
1-(2H)-isoquinolone derivative
The present invention provides: a compound represented by the following formula (I): [wherein Y1 and Y4 represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; either one of Y2 and Y3 represents —NR1R2, and the other represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; X represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl group that may be substituted; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, or a C1-8 alkyl group that may be substituted; and R2 represents a C1-8 alkyl group that is substituted with one or more substituents, —COOR3, —COR4, —COSR5, —CONR6R7, —NR22R23, or —C═NR24R25; or R1 and R2, together with a nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, may form a 4- to 10-membered hetero ring containing at least one nitrogen atom (wherein the hetero ring may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from Group C)], a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical composition, or the like, which comprises the compound. |
| US08143273B2 |
Quinolizidine and indolizidine derivatives
The present invention relates to a compound of formula I-A or I-B wherein X, R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein; or to a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt, to a racemic mixture, or to its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer thereof. The compounds of formulas I-A and I-B are good inhibitors of the glycine transporter 1 (GlyT-1), and have a good selectivity to glycine transporter 2 (GlyT-2) inhibitors, suitable in the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. |
| US08143261B2 |
Thiazolo (4,5-D) pyrimidine compounds
The invention provides certain thiazolopyrimidine compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, processes and intermediates used in their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy. |
| US08143260B2 |
Tricyclic amine compound
A compound represented by the following general formula (I): [wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group, A and B represent —(CH2)2—, —(CH2)3— or —(CH2)4—, X represents —N(R2)— (R2 represents hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group), —CO—, —C(═N—R3)— (R3 represents hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group), or —C(═C(R4)(R5))— (R4 and R5 independently represent hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group), and Ar represents an aryldiyl group or a heteroaryldiyl group], which has an action of controlling physiological activities of retinoids and useful as an active ingredient of a medicament. |
| US08143257B2 |
Substituted phenols as active agents inhibiting VEGF production
The present invention relates to methods, compounds, and compositions for inhibiting angiogenesis. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods, compounds, and compositions for inhibiting VEGF production. |
| US08143255B2 |
Heteroalkyl linked pyrimidine derivatives
The present invention relates to pyrimidine compounds that are useful as anti-proliferative agents. More particularly, the present invention relates to heteroalkyl linked and substituted pyrimidine compounds, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and uses of these compounds in the treatment of proliferative disorders. These compounds may be useful as medicaments for the treatment of a number of proliferative disorders including tumors and cancers as well as other conditions or disorders associated with kinases. |
| US08143253B2 |
Organic compounds
Compounds of formula I in free or salt or solvate form, where R1, R2 and R5 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating diseases mediated by the ALK-5 and/or ALK-4 receptor. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and processes for preparing the compounds are also described. |
| US08143252B2 |
Tetrahalogenated compounds useful as inhibitors of angiogenesis
Methods for inhibiting a neoplasm in a subject and methods of inhibiting undesired angiogenesis that include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one novel tetrahalogenated compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US08143251B2 |
Triazolotriazines as kinase inhibitors
The present invention is directed to [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazines, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are inhibitors of kinases such as c-Met and are useful in the treatment of cancer and other diseases related to the dysregulation of kinase pathways. |
| US08143250B2 |
6-7,dialkoxy quinazoline derivatives useful for treatment of cancer related disorders
In view of the great potential the quinazoline class of compounds offer, we started the synthesis and screening of a large number of new chemical entities with novel structural features. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that quinazolines having 3-Ethynyl anilino group at the 4th position and specifically substituted alkoxy groups in the 6 and 7 positions, impart much enhanced and special anti-proliferative properties when compared to other prominent members of the quinazoline class of drugs. Also, surprisingly the compounds of this invention are much less toxic and the safety profile is exceedingly beneficial for therapeutic applications. The novel chemical entities described in this invention are designated by the general structure (I) and have not been synthesized earlier nor investigated for their therapeutic benefits and safety profile. Compound (I) is NRC-2694, when structure (A). |
| US08143249B2 |
Prodrugs of A2B adenosine receptor antagonists
Disclosed are prodrugs of A2B adenosine receptor antagonists of the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently lower alkyl; R4 is optionally substituted phenyl; X is hydrogen or methyl; and Y is —C(O)R, in which R is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and their use in treating mammals for various disease states. |
| US08143237B2 |
Anti-cancer drugs, and uses relating for malignant melanoma and other cancers
Selenopheno triazene analogs, their compositions, tautomeric forms, stereoisomers, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and mixtures thereof are useful for the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma and other cancers. The selenopheno triazene analogs have the general formulae (I) or (II): wherein the substituents R1, R2, R3, R6, and R7 are as described in the specification. Other cancers include which may be treated with these compounds include, but are not limited to, malignant melanoma, leukemia, lymphomas (Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins), sarcomas (Ewing's sarcoma), brain tumors, central nervous system (CNS) metastases, gliomas, carcinomas such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer (small cell and non-small cell), colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, Head and Neck cancers and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. |
| US08143229B2 |
Method for production of a transformed cell
A method for incorporating a biomolecule into a cell including the steps: i) production of a complex from a biomolecule and a polymer which may be obtained by reaction of an amine monomer having at least two amine groups with an epoxide monomer having at least two epoxide groups and ii) incorporation of the biomolecule into a cell bx bringing the cell into contact with the complex. The invention further relates to the transformed cell obtained by said method, the use of a particular polymer for incorporation of a biomolecule into a cell, a kit for incorporation of a biomolecule into a cell, the use of said kit, a complex made from a biomolecule and a polymer, a therapeutic composition, the use of a complex of a biomolecule and a polymer for therapeutic treatment and a method for treatment of a disease by gene therapy. |
| US08143223B2 |
Cytoprotection by means of phosphotyrosine
The present invention relates to a method for protecting biological material from cell damaging factors, a method for producing a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylactic and/or therapy accompanying treatment of radiation therapy patients and/or chemotherapy patients, a cosmetic composition, and a culture medium. |
| US08143221B2 |
Use of ADNF polypeptides for treating peripheral neurotoxicity
This invention relates to the use of ADNF polypeptides in the treatment of neurotoxicity induced by chemical agents or by disease processes. The ADNF polypeptides include ADNF I and ADNF III (also referred to as ADNP) polypeptides, analogs, subsequences such as NAP and SAL, and D-amino acid versions (either wholly D-amino acid peptides or mixed D- and L-amino acid peptides), and combinations thereof which contain their respective active core sites. |
| US08143215B2 |
Method of promoting weight loss
Compositions for enhancing satiety and weight loss in an individual, assays for assessing a tastant for enhancing satiety and weight loss, and methods of using the composition to suppress appetite and enhance weight loss are provided. |
| US08143214B2 |
Protein-polymer conjugates
Protein-polymer conjugates are described. Also described are a method for preparing a protein-polymer conjugate and its use in treating hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection. |
| US08143213B2 |
Effect of TULA on HIV
A method of inhibiting a retrovirus production, the method includes administering a retrovirus inhibitor selected from at least one of a TULA protein, a fragment of TULA containing a UBA domain, a UBA domain of TULA, a peptide mimicking TULA, a peptide mimicking a fragment of TULA containing a UBA domain, a peptide mimicking a UBA domain of TULA, a polynucleotide encoding TULA, a polynucleotide encoding a fragment of TULA containing a UBA domain, a polynucleotide encoding a UBA domain of TULA, a polynucleotide encoding a peptide mimicking TULA, a polynucleotide encoding a peptide mimicking a fragment of TULA containing a UBA domain, a polynucleotide encoding a peptide mimicking the UBA domain of TULA, fragments thereof, muteins thereof, variants and splice variants thereof, and combinations thereof to a cell or a tissue infected by a retrovirus. |
| US08143209B2 |
Cleaning compositions with amphiphilic graft polymers based on polyalkylene oxides and vinyl esters
Laundry detergent and cleaning compositions comprising amphiphilic graft polymers based on water-soluble polyalkylene oxides (A) as a graft base and side chains formed by polymerization of a vinyl ester component (B), said polymers having an average of ≦1 graft site per 50 alkylene oxide units and mean molar masses Mw of from 3000 to 100,000. |
| US08143204B2 |
Mg++ chemistry and method for fouling inhibition in heat processing of liquid foods and industrial processes
The present invention relates to methods for removing or preventing scale formation in a liquid food processing operation. Aqueous antiscalant solutions comprising soluble magnesium salts are used to prevent the precipitation of insoluble calcium salts and/or to increase the solubility of insoluble calcium salts. |
| US08143203B2 |
Method for washing device substrate
The present invention provides a washing method for a device substrate, capable of sufficiently removing a resist attached to a device substrate, particularly a resist attached to fine pore portions of a pattern having a large aspect ratio.A method for washing a device substrate, which comprises a washing step of removing a resist attached to a device substrate by means of a solvent, wherein the solvent is a composition comprising at least one fluorinated compound selected from the group consisting of a hydrofluoroether, a hydrofluorocarbon and a perfluorocarbon, and a fluorinated alcohol. |
| US08143200B2 |
Enhancement of low temprature performance of group III base stocks by blending with HVI-PAO
A lubricating oil formulation is disclosed inhibiting a pour point of about −45° C. or lower and a Brookfield viscosity at −40° C. of about 60,000 cP or less comprising a mixture of a base stock selected from the group consisting of a Group III base stock, a GTL base stock, synthetic and natural waxy hydrocarbon hydroisomerate base stock, and mixtures thereof in combination with HVI-PAO. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the pour point and enhancing the −40° C. Brookfield viscosity performance of a lubricating oil comprising a base stock selected from the group consisting of Group III base stock, GTL base stock, synthetic and natural waxy hydrocarbon hydroisomerate base stock, and mixtures thereof by adding HVI-PAO to such base stock. |
| US08143194B2 |
Method for polishing tape-shaped substrate for oxide superconductor, oxide superconductor, and base material for oxide superconductor
An oxide superconductor member is composed of a tape-shaped substrate, an intermediate layer formed on this substrate and an oxide superconductor thin film layer formed on this intermediate layer. A surface of the tape-shaped substrate is polished by continuously running the tape-shaped substrate. The polishing step includes initial polishing process and finishing process which are carried out such that the average surface roughness Ra of the substrate becomes 2 nanometers or less and the in-plane directionality of the intermediate layer becomes 5° or less after the polishing step. |
| US08143191B2 |
Thermosensitive recording material
A thermosensitive recording material including a polypropylene film support, a thermosensitive recording layer, a protective layer and a back layer, where the thermosensitive recording layer and the protective layer are disposed on a surface of the polypropylene film support, and the back layer is disposed on another surface of the polypropylene film support, where the back layer is a coated layer of a coating liquid containing a self-crosslinking resin emulsion, which contains a combination of at least one selected from a carbonyl group-containing acrylic resin having a Tg of 16° C. or lower and a copolymer polyester resin having a Tg of 16° C. or lower and a hydrazine derivative having a hydrazine residual group, and a quaternary ammonium polymer antistatic agent. |
| US08143190B2 |
Honeycomb structure
There is disclosed a honeycomb structure having a plurality of segments and each including a plurality of cells, wherein each segment has a porous base material having the honeycomb shape, and a modified portion formed by impregnating a part of the base material with a slurry including particles smaller than the average pore diameter of the base material, followed by a heat treatment, the base material has a porosity of 30 to 80% and an average pore diameter of 5 to 40 μm, and the modified portion is partially formed on the section of the segment vertical (orthogonal) to the axial direction of the cells, and has a porosity which is 2 to 20% lower than that of the base material and an average pore diameter which is 0.1 to 10 μm smaller than that of the base material. |
| US08143182B2 |
Fused ceramic particle
The present invention provides a fused ceramic particle, having the following chemical composition, in percentages by weight based on the oxides and for a total of 100%: 50% |
| US08143179B2 |
Transparent, colorless titania-free beta-quartz glass-ceramic
The invention relates to a transparent and essentially colorless β-quartz glass-ceramic material which is free of TiO2, As2O3, Sb2O3 and phosphates; articles formed from said glass-ceramic material; lithium aluminosilicate glasses, precursors for said glass-ceramic material; and methods of producing said glass-ceramic material and said articles formed from said glass-ceramic material. |
| US08143176B2 |
Textile two or three dimensional fabric containing materials that are capable of swelling
The present invention relates to textile two- or three-dimensional structures formed from fibers and/or ribbons and swellable materials, the fibers and/or ribbons present in the structure and also the swellable materials each being present in such an amount that the fibers and/or ribbons are encased by the swellable materials and the voids in the structure are, in the swollen state, partially or completely filled by materially bound water and the swellable materials used being aqueous emulsions of (co)polymers of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer MON which are applied to the fibers and/or ribbons. |
| US08143175B2 |
Dry etching method
The invention provides a dry etching method for performing a wiring process on a semiconductor substrate using a plasma etching apparatus, wherein the wiring process is performed without causing disconnection or deflection of the wiring. The invention provides a dry etching method for performing a wiring process on a semiconductor substrate using a plasma etching apparatus, wherein during a step for etching a material 12 to be etched using a mask pattern composed of a photoresist 15 and inorganic films 14 and 13 made of SiN, SiON, SiO and the like formed on the material 12 to be etched, a mixed gas formed of a halogen-based gas such as chlorine-containing gas or bromine-containing gas and at least one fluorine-containing gas selected from a group of fluorine-containing gases composed of CF4, CHF3, SF6 and NF3 is used to reduce the mask pattern and the processing dimension of the material to be etched substantially equally during processing of the material 12 to be etched. |
| US08143174B2 |
Post-deposition treatment to enhance properties of Si-O-C low K films
A method for providing a dielectric film having enhanced adhesion and stability. The method includes a post deposition treatment that densifies the film in a reducing atmosphere to enhance stability if the film is to be cured ex-situ. The densification generally takes place in a reducing environment while heating the substrate. The densification treatment is particularly suitable for silicon-oxygen-carbon low dielectric constant films that have been deposited at low temperature. |
| US08143173B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: (a) forming a stress relaxation layer on a first surface having an electrode of a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a wiring line so as to cover the electrode and the stress relaxation layer after step (a); (c) forming a solder resist layer on the wiring line after step (b); and (d) forming a protective layer on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the semiconductor substrate after step (c). |
| US08143172B2 |
Printable etching media for silicon dioxide and silicon nitride layers
The present invention relates to a novel printable etching medium having non-Newtonian flow behavior for the etching of surfaces in the production of solar cells, and to the use thereof. The present invention furthermore also relates to etching and doping media which are suitable both for the etching of inorganic layers and also for the doping of underlying layers. In particular, they are corresponding particle-containing compositions by means of which extremely fine structures can be etched very selectively without damaging or attacking adjacent areas. |
| US08143169B2 |
Methods for multi-stage molding of integrated circuit package
Methods for providing an integrated circuit using a multi-stage molding process to protect wirebonds. In one embodiment, a method includes attaching a die to a leadframe having a lead finger, attaching a wirebond between the die and the leadfinger, applying a first mold material over at least a portion of the wirebond and the die and the leadfinger to form an assembly, waiting for the first mold material to at least partially cure, and applying a second mold material over the assembly. |
| US08143168B2 |
Etching method and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
The present invention discloses technique of etching selectively a layer containing siloxane. The present invention provides a semiconductor device with reduced operation deterioration due to etching failure. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises steps of forming a conductive layer electrically connecting to a transistor, an insulating layer covering the conductive layer, and a mask formed over the insulating layer; and etching the insulating layer with a processing gas including a hydrogen bromide gas. |
| US08143165B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor devices using strained silicon bearing material
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit on semiconductor substrates, e.g., silicon wafer. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate characterized by a first lattice with a first structure and a first spacing. In a specific embodiment, the semiconductor substrate has an overlying film of material with a second lattice with a second structure and a second spacing, the second spacing placing the film of material in a strain mode characterized by a first tensile and/or compressive mode along a single film surface crystal axis across a first portion of the film of material relative to the semiconductor substrate with the first structure and the first spacing. The method patterns a predetermined region of the first portion of the film of material to cause the first tensile and/or compressive mode in the first portion of the film of material to change to a second tensile and/or compressive mode in a resulting patterned portion of the first portion of the film of material. In a preferred embodiment, the patterns are made using a masking and etching process. |
| US08143163B2 |
Method for forming pattern of semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises performing a CMP process using an oxide film as an etching barrier film to maintain a polysilicon layer having a large open area. A word line pattern, a DSL pattern, and a SSL pattern that are formed by a first patterning process are not additionally blocked, and the oxide film is used as an etching barrier to obtain an accurate overlay between patterns and improve CD uniformity, thereby improving a characteristic of the device. |
| US08143162B2 |
Interconnect structure having a silicide/germanide cap layer
An interconnect structure of an integrated circuit and a method for forming the same are provided. The interconnect structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a low-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, a conductor in the low-k dielectric layer, and a cap layer on the conductor. The cap layer has at least a top portion comprising a metal silicide/germanide. |
| US08143161B2 |
Method for passivating hardware of a microelectronic topography processing chamber
An apparatus for processing microelectronic topographies, a method of use of such an apparatus, and a method for passivating hardware of microelectronic processing chambers are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate holder configured to support a microelectronic topography and a rotatable case with sidewalls arranged on opposing sides of the substrate holder. The method of using such an apparatus includes positioning a microelectronic topography upon a substrate holder of a processing chamber, exposing the microelectronic topography to a fluid within the processing chamber, and rotating a case of the processing chamber. The rotation is sufficient to affect movement of the fluid relative to the surface of the microelectronic topography. A method for passivating hardware of a microelectronic processing chamber includes exposing the hardware to an organic compound and subsequently exposing the hardware to an agent configured to form polar bonds with the organic compound. |
| US08143153B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including: forming a moisture resistant ring surrounding a multilayer interconnection structure in a layered body formed of stacked layers of a plurality of interlayer insulating films lower in dielectric constant than a SiO2 film and including the multilayer interconnection structure; forming a groove in the layered body between the moisture resistant ring and a scribe line, the groove reaching a surface of a semiconductor substrate; forming a film including Si and C as principal components and covering sidewall surfaces and a bottom surface of the groove; and forming a protection film on the film along the sidewall surfaces and the bottom surface of the groove. |
| US08143152B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device having self-aligned contact connected to silicide layer on substrate surface
A semiconductor device 100 includes: a silicon substrate 102; a first gate 114a including a gate electrode 108 formed on the silicon substrate 102 and sidewalls 112 formed on the sidewalls of the gate electrode 108; a silicide layer 132 formed lateral to the sidewalls 112 of the first gate 114a on a surface of the silicon substrate 102; and a contact 164 which overlaps at least partially in plan view with the first gate 114a and reaches to the silicide layer 132 of the surface of the silicon substrate 102; wherein an insulator film is located between the contact 164 and the gate electrode 108 of the first gate 114a. |
| US08143150B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device and electronic system
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a well impurity region, a lower impurity region and an upper impurity region in a semiconductor substrate. The lower impurity region has a different conductivity type than a conductivity type of the well impurity region, the upper impurity region has a different conductivity type than the conductivity type of the lower impurity region, and the upper impurity region has a same conductivity type as the conductivity type of the well impurity region and has a higher impurity concentration than an impurity concentration of the well impurity region. The semiconductor substrate is etched to form lower semiconductor patterns, upper semiconductor patterns upwardly projecting from predetermined regions of the lower semiconductor patterns. An isolation layer filling the first and second spaces between the lower semiconductor patterns and between the upper semiconductor patterns, respectively is formed. |
| US08143149B2 |
Method of forming a flexible nanostructured material for photovoltaic panels
An efficient and low-cost method is intended for forming a flexible nanostructured material suitable for use as an active element of a photovoltaic panel. The method consists of evaporating a colloidal solution, which contains nanoparticles of various sizes and/or masses, from a flat surface of a rotating body on which the solution forms a thin and easily vaporizable layer, and simultaneously releasing the nanoparticles from the solution for their free flight through a gaseous medium toward the flexible substrate. As a result, the particles of different sizes and/or types of material are deposited onto the flexible substrate in a predetermined sequence that corresponds to the magnitude of resistance experienced by the nanoparticles during their free flight. In this method, the final, flexible nanostructured material is formed as a multilayer nanostructured film in which the nanoparticles of larger size and greater density are deposited onto the flexible substrate first and thus are located under the nanoparticles of smaller size and smaller density. |
| US08143148B1 |
Self-aligned multi-dielectric-layer lift off process for laser diode stripes
A method for forming a laser diode structure. The method includes providing a laser diode material having a surface region. A multilayer dielectric mask structure comprising alternating first and second dielectric layers is formed overlying the surface region. The method forms a laser diode structure using the multilayer dielectric mask structure as a mask. The method selectively removes a portion of the first dielectric layer to form one or more undercut regions between the second dielectric layers. A passivation layer overlies the multilayer dielectric mask structure and the undercut region remained intact. The dielectric mask structure is selectively removed, exposing a top surface region of the laser diode structure. A contact structure is formed overlying at least the exposed top surface region. |
| US08143147B1 |
Methods and systems for forming thin films
A method and apparatus for the deposition of thin films is described. In embodiments, systems and methods for epitaxial thin film formation are provided, including systems and methods for forming binary compound epitaxial thin films. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may be used to form direct bandgap semiconducting binary compound epitaxial thin films, such as, for example, GaN, InN and AlN, and the mixed alloys of these compounds, e.g., (In, Ga)N, (Al, Ga)N, (In, Ga, Al)N. Methods and apparatuses include a multistage deposition process and system which enables rapid repetition of sub-monolayer deposition of thin films. |
| US08143143B2 |
Process for fabricating nanowire arrays
A process is provided for etching a silicon-containing substrate to form nanowire arrays. In this process, one deposits nanoparticles and a metal film onto the substrate in such a way that the metal is present and touches silicon where etching is desired and is blocked from touching silicon or not present elsewhere. One submerges the metallized substrate into an etchant aqueous solution comprising HF and an oxidizing agent. In this way arrays of nanowires with controlled diameter and length are produced. |
| US08143139B2 |
Method of fabricating extended drain MOS transistor
A method of fabricating an extended drain MOS transistor which reduces a design rule and prevents the generation of leakage current. The method includes sequentially forming a diffusion film, a first conductive epitaxial layer, a gate oxide layer and a hard mask layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a first hard mask pattern having a first thickness by performing a first etching process on the hard mask layer, forming a second hard mask pattern having a second thickness by performing a second etching process on the first hard mask layer, and then forming a thin gate oxide layer by performing a third etching process on the gate oxide layer using the second hard mask pattern as a mask. |
| US08143132B2 |
Transistor including a high-K metal gate electrode structure formed on the basis of a simplified spacer regime
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, the threshold voltage adjustment of high-k metal gate electrode structures may be accomplished by a work function metal species provided in an early manufacturing stage. For this purpose, a protective sidewall spacer structure is provided, which is, in combination with a dielectric cap material, also used as an efficient implantation mask during the implantation of extension and halo regions, thereby increasing the ion blocking capability of the complex gate electrode structure substantially without affecting the sensitive gate materials. |
| US08143131B2 |
Method of fabricating spacers in a strained semiconductor device
The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming a gate stack over a silicon substrate, forming dummy spacers on sidewalls of the gate stack, isotropically etching the silicon substrate to form recess regions on either side of the gate stack, forming a semiconductor material in the recess regions, the semiconductor material being different from the silicon substrate, removing the dummy spacers, forming spacer layers having an oxide-nitride-oxide configuration over the gate stack and the semiconductor material, and etching the spacer layers to form gate spacers on the sidewalls of the gate stack. |
| US08143130B1 |
Method of manufacturing depletion MOS device
The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a depletion metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) device. The method includes: providing a substrate; forming a first conductive type well and an isolation region in the substrate to define a device area; defining a drift region, a source, a drain, and a threshold voltage adjustment region, and implanting second conductive type impurities to form the drift region, the source, the drain, and the threshold voltage adjustment region, respectively; defining a breakdown protection region between the drain and the threshold voltage adjustment region, and implanting first conductive type impurities to form the breakdown protection region; and forming a gate in the device area; wherein a part of the breakdown protection region is below the gate, and the breakdown protection region covers an edge of the threshold voltage adjustment region. |
| US08143126B2 |
Method for forming a vertical MOS transistor
A method is used to form a vertical MOS transistor. The method utilizes a semiconductor layer. An opening is etched in the semiconductor layer. A gate dielectric is formed in the opening that has a vertical portion that extends to a top surface of the first semiconductor layer. A gate is formed in the opening having a major portion laterally adjacent to the vertical portion of the gate dielectric and an overhang portion that extends laterally over the vertical portion of the gate dielectric. An implant is performed to form a source region at the top surface of the semiconductor layer while the overhang portion is present. |
| US08143125B2 |
Structure and method for forming a salicide on the gate electrode of a trench-gate FET
A method for forming a trench-gate FET includes the following steps. A plurality of trenches is formed extending into a semiconductor region. A gate dielectric is formed extending along opposing sidewalls of each trench and over mesa surfaces of the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. A gate electrode is formed in each trench isolated from the semiconductor region by the gate dielectric. Well regions of a second conductivity type are formed in the semiconductor region. Source regions of the first conductivity type are formed in upper portions of the well regions. After forming the source regions, a salicide layer is formed over the gate electrode in each trench abutting portions of the gate dielectric. The gate dielectric prevents formation of the salicide layer over the mesa surfaces of the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. |
| US08143124B2 |
Methods of making power semiconductor devices with thick bottom oxide layer
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a charge control trench and an active control trench with a thick oxide bottom includes forming a drift region, a well region extending above the drift region, an active trench extending through the well region and into the drift region, a charge control trench extending deeper into the drift region than the active trench, an oxide film that fills the active trench, the charge control trench and covers a top surface of the substrate, an electrode in the active trench, and source regions. The method also includes etching the oxide film off the top surface of the substrate and inside the active trench to leave a substantially flat layer of thick oxide having a target thickness at the bottom of the active trench. |
| US08143123B2 |
Methods of forming inter-poly dielectric (IPD) layers in power semiconductor devices
A method for forming power semiconductor devices having an inter-electrode dielectric (IPD) layer inside a trench includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a trench, lining the sidewalls and bottom of the trench with a first layer of dielectric material, filling the trench with a first layer of conductive material to form a first electrode, recessing the first layer of dielectric material and the first layer of conductive material to a first depth inside the trench, forming a layer of polysilicon material on a top surface of the dielectric material and conductive material inside the trench, oxidizing the layer of polysilicon material, and forming a second electrode inside the trench atop the oxidized layer and isolated from trench sidewalls by a second dielectric layer. The oxidation step can be enhanced by either chemically or physically altering the top portion polysilicon such as by implanting impurities. |